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New York : 
JOSEPH SCHAEFER, 

60 Barclay St. 



1888. 





Nihil obstat. 

S. G. MESSMEE, S. T. D. 
Censor deputatus. 



imprimatur, 



^ M. A. CORRIGAN, 

Archieps, Neo-Ebor, 



Copyriglit, ibaS, by Joseph Schaefek, Publisher. 



PREFACE. 



''You will hear instructions. . . .by which you shall learn. . . . 
I in what manner the seal of the communication of the Holy Ghost 

j has been given to you." 

St. Cyril of JeriLsal., Cat. XVIII. n. 33. 

''If ever there was a time that demanded the assiduity of the 
pastor in explaining the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is doubt- 
less the present, when there are found in the Church of God 
many by whom it is altogether omitted; whilst very few study 
to derive from it the fruit of divine grace, which its worthy 
reception imparts." These words of the Catechism of the 
Council ot Trent, uttered three hundred years ago, strike one 
as fully applicable to our own times and the conditions of very 
many Catholics here in the United States of America. Yet 
searching among the great number of books that have en- 
riched our English catechetical literature within the past decade, 
we fail to find any one especially intended and prepared to in- 
struct our youth, the growing and rising generation, for the 
great ''Sacrament of the Holy Ghost," as Confirmation has 
been justly called. Although a chapter is here and there 
devoted to this important subject, to be enlarged upon and 
more fully explained in the instructions preparatory to Con- 
firmation, yet a special and more comprehensive treatise on the 
nature, dignity and eff'ect of this Sacrament seems not only 
justifiable, but also demanded by the excellency and power of 
this great gift of the Holy Ghost. The grace of Christ, indeed, 
unto the sanctification of man is given to us in all the Sacra- 
ments through the same Holy Spirit, the divine source of all 
graces ; but the crowning and the consummation of the Christian 
character in the way of salvation is the peculiar effect intended 



iv PREFACE. 

and wrought by the Spirit of the Father and Son in Confirma- 
tion. What Pentecost was for the Apostles, Confirmation is for 
every Christian ; it brings to the soul the fullness of the Holy 
Spirit. When St. Augustine calls the day of Pentecost Dies 
natalis Spiritus Sancti — the nativity of the Holy Ghost — he 
meant to convey this great truth, that the inner and spiritual 
life of the mystical body of Christ flows through all its members 
like a stream from its fountain-head, the Holy Spirit; on that 
day the Holy Ghost, in a sense, was born in the Church and 
the Church in Him. In the new Law we are under the dis- 
pensation of the Holy Ghost. Like the Apostles on Pentecost, 
all regenerated Christians are brought under the immediate action 
of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. He comes 
to dwell personally within the soul in virtue of this divine 
ordinance. It is therefore a most sacred duty to prepare the 
way for His advent, and to build up and fit the soul for a living 
temple of His august presence. 

The duty of performing this responsible task clearly devolves 
upon the pastors of souls, who are charged by the Church to 
bestow all possible care and diligence upon \S\^ frequent and 
accurate instruction of the faithful in all that pertains to the 
nature, efficacy and great dignity of this Sacrament, lest by their 
negligence the faithful receive this divine gift in vain, or with 
too little profit. Enactments of many councils and synods 
enjoin that nothing shall be omitted to impress upon the people 
each and every feature accompanying the administration of this 
Sacrament. They exhort pastors to deliver their instructions 
not in empty words or dry speech, but in the burning accents 
of fervent piety. ^ 

To aid somewhat those charged with the preparatory in- 
structions for Confirmation, I have been induced to compile the 
present little work, intended to be exactly what its title implies, 



Catechism of Trent, on Confirm., nn. i, 5, 9, 13, 16, 19, 20. 



PREFACE. V 

a "Manual of Confirmation." Those who have a wide and long 
experience in the ministry and care of souls, need no words of 
mine to convince them of what paramount importance this last 
and familiar course of instructions is and should be to the 
children of their charge, and how much the loyal steadfastness 
and faithful allegiance of the young Christians depend on the 
efficient and faithful preparation and, as a matter of course, the 
worthy reception of this Sacrament. I hope this ''Manual" will 
prove a very acceptable guide for those whose labors do not 
admit of longer study and researches in different works or 
tedious treatises. It can also be placed in the hands of the 
candidates for Confirmation, while the pastor or instructor may, 
with the material collected in this volume, easily comment and 
dwell more at length upon the subject-matter of each instruction. 
The explanation of the questions and answers of the catechism is 
found in the various corresponding paragraphs of this '' Man- 
ual. " It need not be said that many other parts of the catechism, 
as, for instance, the eighth article of the Creed, the Sacrament of 
Penance, the chapter on Grace and Christian virtue, and also 
Bible history,^ can be interspersed with the lessons. The course 
of instructions should be a review of faith and morals with 
practical applications and reference to Christian life and warfare 
suitable to the capacity of those to be prepared. I beg leave to 
point out in this place that the ''Manual" consists of two parts, 
viz., the doctrinal 2iX\di the devotional, and would urge that both 
be combined from the very beginning. Teaching and practice 
ought to go hand in hand ; what is presented to the mind of 
the hearers should be instilled also in their heart ; the divine 
seed must be moistened with the dew of heavenly grace. To 
remove in the souls of the children all obstacles and to pave the 
way for the coming of the Holy Spirit, is the chief aim and 
purpose of these instructions. 



1 Gen. i. 2; Deut. xxxiv. 9; Judges xiv. 6, 9; Matth. iii. 11 ff. Acts, 
passim. 



vi PREFACE. 

Alas ! What pastor has not often grieved in the depth of his 
heart at the loss of his labors, when so soon after Confirmation 
the graces of the Holy Spirit were extinguished.^ How great 
are the complaints of Christian teachers and parents, when they 
behold so many that had been sealed in the Holy Spirit, mock 
at religion and piety. On the other hand, what a glory for the 
Church, if the chief j)astors, our Bishops, if the rectors of 
parishes and missions, could point out one day before the 
great Shepherd of souls that the vast army of all who were 
signed by the Holy Ghost had remained ever afterwards 
faithful to the standard of their Lord and King. And yet, such 
ought to be the effect of the great Sacrament of the Holy 
Ghost. For by it the soul enters into close and personal relation 
with this Divine Spirit, through whom we have union both with 
the Father and with the Son. Herein consists the great mission 
of the Holy Ghost. It has been said that we rarely worship 
and adore with a distinct and special adoration the Person of 
the Holy Ghost, who is the Author and Giver of all grace. 
True, He is a Spirit that has never become incarnate, but re- 
mains invisible and inscrutable ; yet it is He that fills with His 
power and grace the souls of those confirmed ; and as the life- 
giving blood circulates through our body, though we seem not 
conscious of it, so does the Holy Ghost perform the great and 
divine work in our souls, although we do not sufficiently ap- 
preciate it. Nay, we often disgrace the sacred character 
received, and destroy the work of the Holy Spirit. We know 
the awful menace against him who violates the temple of God, 
in which dwells the Holy Spirit.^ What a powerful motive 
to awaken in us an ever-fervent devotion to God the Holy 
Ghost 1 

The author would gratefully receive any suggestions to im- 
prove the '* Manual " for any future edition, as he is well aware 



1 I Thess. V. 19. 2 I Cor. iii. 17. 



PREFACE vii 

of many imperfections.^ But if in its present condition it will 
prove a helpmate in this important part of pastoral labor, and 
prompt somewhat towards a special devotion to the Divine 
Person of God the Holy Ghost, and enkindle His divine love 
in the hearts of His elect, I shall be amply compensated for 
this small task of love in behalf of the numerous classes annually 
in course of preparation for this great and special Sacrament of 
the Holy Spirit. 

Rome, N. Y., on the feast of SS. Simon and Jude, 1888. 

The Author. 



1 The author feels under obhgations to Rev. Dr. Messmer, the censor 
deputed by the Archbishop of New York, for many kindly offices and sug- 
gestions. 



CONTENTS. 



Part L 

THE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE OF CO^EIRMATION. 

Chapter I. — Divine Institution of Confirmation. 

PAGE. 

§ I Proofs from Holy Scripture I 

The Promise of the Holy Ghost i 

The Descent of the Holy Ghost 2 

Effects of the Descent of the Holy Ghost 3 

Apostolic Preaching and Practice 5 

§ 2. Early Christian Tradition 6 

§ 3. Expediency and Congruity of Confirmation 8 

Chapter IL — Nature of Confirmation. 

§ 4. Name of this Sacrament 11 

§ 5. The Visible Sign of this Sacrament, or its Matter and Form 12 

^ 6. The Holy Chrism 15 

§ 7. The Balsam 18 

§ 8. Distinctive Sacramental Features 19 

§ 9. The Necessity of this Sacrament 22 

Chapter III. — Effects of Confirmation. 

§ 10. Ordinary and Extraordinary Effects. — The Character 24 

§ 1 1. On the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost 28 

The Gift of Wisdom 29 

The Gift of Understanding 30 

The Gift of Counsel 30 

The Gift of Knowledge 31 

The Gift of Fortitude 31 

The Gift of Piety 32 

The Gift of the Fear of God 33 



X CONTEXTS. 



I'AGE. 



^ 12. The Fruits of tlie Holy Spirit 33 

The Fruit of Charity 34 

The Fruit of Joy 3^ 

The Fruit of Peace 37 

The Fruit of Patience 3^ 

The Fruit of Benignity 39 

The Fruit of Goodness 4^ 

The Fruit of Longanimity 4' 

The Fruit of Mildness 42 

The Fruit of Faith 44 

The Fruit of Modesty 45 

The Fruit of Continency . , 47 

The Fruit of Chastity 4^ 

Chapter IV. — Minister of Confirmation. 
§ 13. Ordinary and Extraordinary Minister , 50 

Chapter V. — Dispositions for ConfirmatiOxX. 

^ 14. Age of the Candidates, and other Necessary Conditions 53 

§ 15. Different Kinds of Preparation for Confirmation 55 

Chapter VI. — The Liturgy of Confirmation. 

^16. On Liturgical Ceremonies 57 

vS 17, The Rite of Confirmation 58 

The Opening Prayers. — General Imposition of Hands 59 

The Essential. Rite 61 

The Blow on the Cheek 63 

The Concluding Prayers and Blessing 65 

§ 18. What the Candidates ought to Observe just before and during the 

Sacred Rite 66 

§ 19. The Christian Name Taken in Confirmation 68 

Chapter VII. — Sponsors and Parents. 

§ 20. Office of Sponsors.— Their Qualities and Number 69 

^> 21. Duties ot Parents before and after Confirmation 74 

Chapter VIII. — Duties and Obligations of the 
Confirmed. 

§ 22. On the Day of Confirmation 77 

Thanksgiving and Resolutions 77 

Godly Observance of the Day 78 



CONTENTS. XI 

PAGE. 

§ 23. Duties after Confirmation 79 

Fidelity Towards the Holy Ghost 79 

Steadfastness in Faith 81 

Purity of Life 82 

Christian Loyalty. — Its Qualities 83 

§ 24. The Anniversary Day of Confirmation 86 



Part II. 
DEVOTIONS TO THE HOLY GHOST. 

Introduction 91 

I. Morning Prayers 95 

Act of Faith 96 

Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving 96 

Act of Contrition 97 

Act of Oblation 97 

Act of Petition 97 

Invocation for Blessing 97 

IT. Evening Prayers 98 

Act of Praise and Adoration 98 

Evening Hymn to the Holy Ghost 98 

Light to Examine Conscience 99 

Act of Sorrow and Amendment 99 

Act of Commendation 100 

Prayer for a Blessmg 100 

Daily Prayer to the Holy Ghost 100 

III. Mass of the Holy Ghost on Pentecost or Whitsunday lOi 

Preparatory Prayer. loi 

The Mass loi 

Prayer after Mass 133 

IV. Novena in Honor of the Holy Ghost 135 

Hymn — Veni Creator 135 

Hymn— O Let Us Fall and Worship Him 136 

V. The Octave of the Holy Ghost 146 

Hymn — Veni Sancte Spiritus 146 

Hymn — Bend with Thy Fires Our Stubborn Will 147 



xii CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 



VI. Litany of the Holy Ghost 153 

VII. Acts before Confirmation 156 

Veni Creator Spiritus 156 

Adoration and Praise 158 

Humility 159 

Contrition 1 60 

Purpose of Amendment 160 

Act of Confidence 1 60 

Act of Holy Desire 161 

Invocation to Obtain the Gifts of the Holy Ghost 162 

Short Prayer for the Same Gifts 163 

Act of Petition (immediately before Confirmation) 164 

VIII. The Rite of Confirmation 166 

IX. Acts of Devotion after Confirmation 171 

Aspirations from St. Augustine 171 

Act of Praise 172 

Act of Thanksgiving 172 

Act of Consecration 172 

Act of Petition 173 

Prayer of Intercession. , 173 

Act of Commendation (to be said before leaving church) 173 

Prayer for Renewal of Grace of Confirmation 174 

Remarks 175 

General Devotion after Confirmation 175 

Hymn — Te Deum 178 

Hymns to the Holy Ghost 179 

Veni Creator Spiritus 179 

Veni Creator Spiritus (another version) 180 

Veni Sancte Spiritus 181 

Eternal Spirit 182 

The Descent of the Holy Ghost 183 

Evening Song to the Holy Ghost 18^ 



PART L 

THE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE ON CONFIRMATION. 



CHAPTER I. 

DIVINE INSTITUTION OF CONFIRMATION. 

§ I. PROOFS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE. 

1st. The Promise of the Holy Ghost. 

Our divine Saviour, during His public life on earth, chose 
unto Himself twelve disciples, whom He called Apostles. He 
bade them to follow Him that they might be witnesses of His 
works, of His doctrines, of His life, so as to make them fitting 
instruments in His hands for the purpose of spreading and 
establishing the kingdom of God on earth, after He had taken 
possession, as God-Man and Mediator, of the heavenly power 
and glory which as the Son of God He shared with the Father 
and the Holy Spirit from all eternity. 

Although the Apostles received the teachings of their divine 
Master during three years, behold how imperfect they were as 
yet in the knowledge and understanding of the heavenly doc- 
trine, how weak in their will and purpose, how far away from 
that courage and steadfastness which they needed in order to 
preach the faith without fear, as well as to suffer all manner of 
persecution, nay, death itself, for Christ's sake, in the discharge 
of their ministry. To this end a special assistance from on High 
was absolutely necessary. Jesus accordingly promised them the 



2 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, 
the ** Spirit of Truth/' whom He would send to teach them 
all truth, and to remind them of all things, whatsoever He 
had told them.^ ''I will ask the Father, and He shall give 
you another Paraclete, that He may abide with you forever. " "" 
''You shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming 
upon you."^ The coming of the Holy Ghost the Comforter 
was thus foretold ; the divine work which He was to accom- 
plish in the minds and hearts of the Apostles and disciples 
was clearly portrayed and pronounced, both before the resur- 
rection and immediately before the ascension of our Lord. 

2d. The Descent of the Holy Ghost. 

After His jesurrection, Christ remained forty days on earth, 
often appearing before His disciples, instructing them in the 
mysteries of faith, and in the manner of spreading the same by 
establishing His Church among all peoples throughout the 
world. Lastly, He commanded them not to depart from Jeru- 
salem, but to await the coming of the Holy Spirit. *'For," 
said He, ''John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be 
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."* 

For ten days they remained in an upper room together in 
the Holy City, "persevering with one mind in prayer,'' with 
Mary the Mother of Jesus, and other pious women and dis- 
ciples ; in all about a hundred and twenty were assembled.^ 
During this retreat the eleven Apostles after fervent prayer 
chose Matthias to take the place of the Apostleship from 
which Judas had fallen, so that now the original number of 
the Aposdes was again completed.^ 

When the days of the Pentecost of the old Law were over, 
which feast commemorated the law-giving on Mount Sinai, the 
promise of the Lord given to His Apostles was about to be ful- 



1 John XV. xvi. 2 Jb. xiv. 16. 3 ^cts i. 8. 4 lb. i. 15. lb. i. 15. 
^ lb. i. 15 ff. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 3 

filled. Within ten days after He went up into heaven before 
the eyes of His disciples, while they were all together, ''sud- 
denly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind 
coming : and it filled the whole house where they were sitting."* 
Under the appearance of parted tongues as of fire, the Holy 
Ghost came down upon those present, their souls at the same 
moment being filled with the admirable gifts and graces of the 
divine Paraclete, the Holy Spirit ; and behold, what a most 
wonderful change was brought about in their whole being ! 
The effects of this yfrj^/ coming and pouring out of the Holy 
Ghost were exceptionally great and supernatural, because it was 
necessary to promulgate and introduce the new Law of Grace 
unto mankind. It was truly the New Pentecost, of which the 
old was but a shadow and symbol ; it was the baptism hy the 
Holy Ghost of the infant Church of Christ, represented as 
it was by that small body of one hundred and twenty persons 
assembled in Jerusalem on the first day of the week, which 
henceforward took the place of the Jewish Sabbath now super- 
seded, and properly called the Day of the Lord — greater and 
more sublime mysteries having been accomplished on this day 
than the old Sabbath could boast of. 

3d. Effects of the Descent of the Holy Ghost 

a. On the Apostles. ** But you shall receive the power of the 
Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses 
unto Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and 
even to the uttermost part of the earth." ^ Thus our divine 
Lord expressly foretold before His ascension. The Apostles 
having received the Holy Ghost, were truly confirmed, that is to 
say, strengthened ; their understanding was fully penetrated 
with the whole and entire doctrine of divine faith. Up to this 
moment, they, hitherto so slow to understand, of little faith, 

I Acts ji. ?, 2 lb, i, 8, 



4 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

timid, were now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, totally 
changed as by fire ; their mind clearly seized upon the divine 
truths ; their will entirely under His sway, they fearlessly go 
forth and preach on that very day before an astounded multi- 
tude, and later before an unbelieving and corrupt world, the 
sublime and saving teachings of the gospel, the dispensations 
and mandates of a crucified Saviour. They speak in a wonderful 
language, understood by all : they proclaim openly and boldly 
the resurrection of Christ from the tomb, His going up into 
heaven, His everlasting Mediatorship ; finally, they announce 
that there can be no salvation for any one except in Christ 
Jesus ; for His sake they rejoice to suffer reproach, even death 
itself, as history proves. Such were the effects produced by the 
descent of the Holy Ghost. 

b. On the early Christians. Not only the Apostles and disci- 
ples, but also the first converts to faith among tiie Jews and 
Pagans, needed this special assistance by the Holy Spirit, 
because they too had to undergo great afflictions, cruel suffer- 
ings and severe trials on account of the new faith. Purely 
natural courage and fortitude could not avail them amid these 
dangers. Therefore the divine Spirit must needs strengthen 
them with might unto the inward man that Christ may dwell 
by faith in their hearts ; ^ by Him, through Him and in Him 
only could they bear testimony to the faith, by the holiness 
of their lives, in order to edify those as yet outside of the 
Church of God, convincing them of its divine origin and power. 
The glorious accounts, handed down to us in the Acts of the 
Apostles no less than in the bright pages of early Christian 
history, show forth these extraordinary workings of the Holy 
Spirit, whom they received in Confirmation by the imposition of 
hands. 

? Eph. iii. 1 6, 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE, 5 

4lh. Apostolic Teaching and Practice. 

''As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you."^ By 
these words, addressed to the Apostles, Jesus gave the same 
powers He exercised, namely, to confer the gifts of the 
Holy Spirit upon all who were baptized, and who were prop- 
erly disposed to receive them. On the great feast of Pentecost, 
the Apostle St. Peter preached to a great assemblage. And 
hearing him, they had compunction in their hearts^ and said to 
Peter and the rest of the Apostles : ** What shall we do, men 
and brethren? Do penance," replied the Apostle, ''and be 
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the 
remission of your sins ; and you shall receive the gift 0/ the 
Holy GhostJ'^ Having received Baptism, they were thus pre- 
pared to receive the special grace of the Holy Ghost, whether 
on that occasion or at a subsequent period/ 

The holy deacon Philip went to Samaria, preaching the king- 
dom 0/ God in the name of Jesus Christ, and a great many, both 
men and women, were baptized. When the Apostles heard 
this, Peter and John came thither, and prayed for them, '^ that 
they might receive the Holy Ghost : for he was not as yet come 
upon any of them ; but they were only baptized in the name of 
the Lord Jesus.'' Then the Apostles laid their hands upon 
them who believed and were baptized, '' and they received the 
Holy Ghosty^ Likewise at Ephesus St. Paul imposed hands 
upon them that had been previously baptized, when the Holy 
Ghost came upon them, and they spoke in different tongues 
and prophesied. ^ The early Christians received the fulness 
and strength of faith by this pouring out of the grace of the 
Holy Ghost into their souls, created anew in justice and holi- 
ness of truth.® 

That the Apostles followed a divine ordinance when they 



1 John XX. 21. 2 Acts ii. 37, 38. 3 Cfr. ib. viii. 17 ; x. 45. ^ ib, yiji^ 
15 ff. ^ Ib. xix. 6. 6 Eph. iv. 24. 



6 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

prayed and imposed hands upon the first Christians in order 
that they might receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost, is apparent 
from the practice referred to. 

Although the precise time when Christ instituted Confirma- 
tion cannot be given, whether at the Last Supper or during 
the time intervening between His resurrection and ascension, 
when He particularly instructed His Apostles in the mysteries 
of His kingdom on earth, yet it is certain that He did so. For 
the Apostles, entering upon their apostolic labors, immediately 
conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost by a special and peculiar 
form upon those that were already baptized. If the visible 
rite of laying on their hands upon the faithful in order to com- 
municate the graces of the Holy Spirit had not been instituted 
and ordained by Christ Himself, how could they presume to 
do so t Of what avail would such a rite have been t For 
Cnrist the Lord only has the power to join with such visible signs 
the graces He purchased for us, and which were thus dispensed 
by the Apostles. The sacramental nature of the rite in ques- 
tion cannot be doubted without serious injury to this exercise 
of power on the part of the Apostles. The prophecy of Joel 
was to be fulfilled : ^' And it shall come to pass in the last days 
(saith the Lord), I will pour out of My spirit upon all flesh, ''^ 
words which St. Peter the Apostle quotes with reference to the 
pouring out of the Holy Ghost in the new Law.^ 

§ 2. EARLY CHRISTIAN TRADITION. 

Early tradidon and practice unanimously and clearly teach 
that this outpouring of the Holy Ghost must needs continue 
with the Church itself The apostolic Fathers, living at the 
same time with the Apostles, and immediately after them, 
unmistakably point to this sacred rite, as often as they 
speak of the pouring out of the Holy Ghost upon those al- 
ready baptized, in order that they might receive the fulness 



•Joel ii. 28. 2 Acts ii. 17. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 7 

of strength for their future spiritual Hfe. We may cite St. 
Clement of Rome, in his Epistle to the Romans, n. 42 ; and 
Hermas in his Pastor, 5. 

In the second century after Christ's ascension into heaven 
witness Clement of Alexandria, who contrasts Baptism with the 
blessed ox sacred seal, * that is, of the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says : 
*'God has sealed us, and given the pledge of the Spirit in 
our hearts ;'*"^ Tertullian in three different treatises refers to the 
sacrament of the Holy Ghost, saying : "After being cleansed 
from the font, hands are imposed, and by the blessing the Holy 
Spirit is called down and invited ;" in another place he mentions 
the signaculurn frontium, sealing or sign on the forehead.^ 
St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr of Carthage (258), says : ''It 
is necessary for him who is baptized to be anointed, and to 
receive the chrism.*'^ The Apostolical Constitutions,^ and the 
ancient Council of Laodicea,® say the same. St. Cyril of Jeru- 
salem {l^(i^, the author of an admirable treatise^ speaks of the 
seal and communicaiion of the Holy Spirit as a mystery or sacra- 
ment of the new Law.* SS. Ephrem, the Syrian, Gregory of 
Nazianz, Didymus of Alexandria,^ St. Chrysostom,^ Patriarch 
of Constantinople, St. Ambrose, ^^ Bishop of Milan, St. Cyril 
of Alexandria, ^^ and the most ancient rituals of the various 
Churches in the East,^"^ even those separated from the unity with 
Rome, are unanimous on the Catholic doctrine of Confirma- 
tion. From the writings of St. Jerome, a doctor of the Church 
and one of the most learned men of his age, who lived nearly 
1500 years ago, a very important passage on this subject may 
here find a proper mention. In his work called the Dialogue 
against the Luciferians (Lucifer, among other things, rejected 
the sacrament of Confirmation)^ he thus addresses him : "Do 



2 2 Cor. i. 22. 3 Bapt. c. vii.; Marc. iii. 22. -i Ep. ad 
[an. 70. vii. 22. ^ Can. xlviii. ? Catech. i8, n. 33. » Trin. ii. 14. 
9 In Philipp. Horn, iii., n. 4. ^^ De Sacr. vi., 2, n. 8. 11 In Isai. xxv. 6; 
in Joel ii. 23. 12 Assem., Codex Lit. Orient., t. 3. 



8 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

you know that it is the practice of the Church to impose hands 
upon those that are baptized, and thus to call down the Holy 
Ghost upon them? You ask where that is written? In the 
Acts of the Apostles. Were it not written, the universal, unani- 
mous usage lays down the law/' Certainly this illustrious 
student of Christian tradition could not have appealed to the 
ancient custom, had it not been fully established by unques- 
tionable proofs, even from apostolic times. The Church suf- 
ficiently expressed her divine light to dispense the graces of 
the Holy Spirit in a special sacrament by the imposition ^ of 
hands through the ministry of the Bishops to the faithful after 
Baptism. (Cfr. § 8.) 

§ 3. EXPEDIENCY AND CONGRUITY OF CONFIRMATION. 

I St. Mans Need. It cannot be doubted that the continual 
strengthening by the sacrament of the Holy Ghost, that is to 
say, imparting special graces to the souls of men, is just as 
necessary to the Christians of our day as it was to them in the 
early days of persecution. Are there no enemies to battle 
against, when irreligion and immorality boldly lift up their 
heads? Even to the great separation which shall take place at 
the final judgment, this spiritual warfare will last. The Church 
(the body of the faithful) always engaged in deadly combat, 
ever resembles the Spouse as she is crowned with thorns, washed 
in the blood of the Lamb. 

The true follower of Christ, now as of yore, who would 
keep intact and firm the precious deposit of faith, the faithful 
disciple who would show forth by a genuine religious life his 
calling to a higher one, is bound to resist the temptations of a 
wicked world with all its allies : avarice, greed of the material, 
perishable goods; sensuality, satisfying without restraint the baser 
passions, hiding heathen vices beneath the cloak of a Christian 
name ; unbelief 2^1^^^ indifference, where men accept or reject what- 

1 Cfr. Acts viii. 18, 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 9 

ever they please, to suit the fashion and caprices of the masses ; 
ambition, to be gratified for the sake of gain and human 
favors. What a fierce combination of evil powers must the 
Christian prepare to meet on his road ! And yet he cannot 
make peace with these bitter, ever-watchful enemies; he 
cannot share his services between Christ and Belial ; inde- 
cision and hesitation would draw him into the vortex of de- 
struction. 

Heroic, continual vigorous efforts must distinguish the 
Christian soldier in the profession of his faith ; firmness and 
resolute devotion to duty, to virtue, to the laws of God and 
His Church, even at the sacrifice of his earthly goods, nay, of 
life itself The glorious days of bloody Christian martyrdom are 
indeed gone by; yet the assaults against faith and good morals 
are all the more successful and dangerous, being secret and 
hidden. Youths especially are surrounded by numerous for- 
midable dangers. On the every-day paths of life, in society, 
in associations of a political or social nature, in the workshops 
and mills, young men and young women inhale the poisonous 
vapors of ridicule, of blasphemous language against revealed 
doctrine ; seductive examples of unchristian levity, sneering 
frivolity are not wanting. 

Religious devotions, piety and sincere adherence to duty are 
made the target against which the arrows of impiety, free-think- 
ing and free love are discharged by speech, example, books, 
pamphlets, newspapers, while irreligion and immorality parade 
in high style and glittering fashion, calculated to seduce the 
unwary and simple-minded. Satan moves his satellites on the 
stage under the cloak oi liberty and humanity, enlightenment and 
unrestrained enjoyment, to mislead and decoy the unsuspecting 
victims. 

Who will say that the flock of Christ is in less peril in face 
of covert guileful attacks at the present day than in the first 
ages of cruel yet open persecution .? Then the enemy pre- 



to MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOX. 

scnted an open front, now he moves slyly and in the clothing 
of sheep ;^ then the Church grew strong by the blood of her 
heroes, now the spirit of irreligion rises up as an angel of Hght 
leading astray and blinding her unwary children. An open 
adversary avowing his designs is not so much to be dreaded as 
a cunning one, roaming about in a thousand ways to ruin and 
destroy, wherever and whenever he can. 

2d. Chrisfs Love. St. John says that ''Jesus .... having 
loved His own who were in the world, He loved them 
unto the end. "^ Why, may we ask, should not this loving 
Spouse shield and save His Church, for which He delivered 
ILimself up,^ by a special dispensation o'[ sacramental gx?iQ^ from 
all her enemies.^ Why should our Saviour withhold from our 
souls that strengthening unction and baptism of the Holy Ghost,* 
which must appear as necessary and salutary now and for all 
ages, as it has been for the Aposdes and in the days of primi- 
tive Christianity? Does not St. Paul exhort the Christians, 
when he feels the need of assistance and strength from above, 
to be ''confident of this very thing, that He, who hath begun a 
good w^ork in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus" .?^ 
And St. John admonishes his beloved children to be strong and 
not to dread the enemies of their faith, because ''you have the 
unction from the Holy One, and know all things. . . . And 
as for you, let the unction which you have received from Him 
abide in you : ... his unction teacheth you of all things, and 

is truth, and is no lie If that abide in you, which you 

have heard from the beginning, you shall also abide in the Son 
and the Father. And this is the promise which He hath 
promised us, life everlasting. '' ^ 

The Church of Christ still possesses and dispenses the same 
powerful means of grace in the great sacrament of Confirmation. 



1 Matth. vii. 15. 2 xiii. i. 3 Eph. v. 25. ^ Acts i. 5. ^ Philipp. i. 6. 
6 I John ii. 20, 27, 24 ff. 



CA IHOLIC DOCTRINE. i i 

This is the perfect Baptism in the Holy Spirit, the sealing of your 
faith and the pouring out into your souls of the supernatural 
divine light which keeps in you the holy fire, inspiring you with 
love for truth and virtue, and maintains in your souls the love 
of God and your Saviour to the end. 

For Christ is now as ever the same good Shepherd,^ bless- 
ing and watching over His own, and therefore He also sealed 
you and gave the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.^ Having 
through Baptism received the faith, and hence believing in 
Christ, '*you were signed with the Holy Spirit of promise,''^ 
to which the great Apostle adds, beseeching all : ''Grieve not 
the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of 
redemption. " * 



CHAPTER II. 

NATURE OF CONFIRMATION. 

§ 4. NAME OF THIS SACRAMENT. 

Question i . What is Confirmation? 

Answer. Confirmation is that sacrament of the new Law in 
which, through the laying on of the Bishop's hands, the anoint- 
ing with chrism, and the prayer, a baptized person is strength- 
ened by the Holy Ghost in order to steadfastly profess the faith 
and faithfully live up to it. 

The Catholic Church, as shown in chapt. I. , always taught so 
in accordance with Holy Scripture, the doctrine of the holy 
Fathers, and the constant practice of the Church in the East 
and West from apostolic times to this day. The other parts of 
this answer will be fully explained in the following chapters. 



'John X. II. 22 Cor. i. 22. 3 Eph. i. 13. ^ lb. iv. 30. 



12 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

Question 2. Why is it called Confirmation P 

Answer. It is so called from its effect, which is to strengthen 
those that receive it in the profession of the true faith, so as to 
make them courageous and firm against the attacks of spiritual 
enemies, and willing rather to die than to turn from faith and 
virtue. 

The life of grace conferred in Baptism receives a higher de- 
gree of strength by Confirmation, whereby the Christian be- 
comes a perfect soldier of Christ, provided nothing stands in the 
way to the efficacy of sacramental grace in the soul. According 
to the testimony of the ancient Fathers and synods, no one can 
be a perfect Christian without it. The various names given to 
Confirmation — such as the seal, signaculum, the unction of the 
Holy Spirit, the pledge of the Holy Ghost, the anointing of 
Christ our God, the inviolate seal, holy chrism, mystery of the 
Holy Ghost, spiritual seal,^ consummation, perfection, com- 
munion with the Holy Ghost^ — all tend to express the fulness 
of grace conferred upon the soul in this sacrament. 

§ 5. THE VISIBLE SIGN OF THIS SACRAMENT, OR ITS MATTER AND 

FORM. 

Question j. Why is Confirmation a true sacrament P 

Answer, Because it has all the attributes that constitute a 
sacrament : i. A visible sign ; 2. An invisible grace ; 3. The 
Institution by Jesus Christ. 

Our Saviour Himself used certain signs when He conferred 
spiritual and bodily benefits or gifts. Thus, having breathed 
on the Apostles, He said: *' Receive ye the Holy Ghost." ^ 
Healing the man born blind, He placed clay prepared with 
spittle upon his eyes. * Giving speech to the deaf and dumb, 
he used various signs; viz., laying His hands upon him, putting 



1 Ambros., De Sacr. iii. 2. 2 Cyril. Cat. xx. 3. ^Johnxx. 22. ^Ib vi.9. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 13 

His fingers into his ears, and spitli?ig, He touched his tongue ; 
looking up to heaven, He groaned and said to him, '' Ephpheta, 
which is : Be thou opened.'' ' Why such signs are employed, 
is easily understood when we consider the nature of man, con- 
sisting of body and spirit, dependent on his external senses to 
receive impressions, etc. It may also be added that these signs 
not only denote or symbolize grace, but really confer it, because 
Christ our Lord made them the instruments of His graces ; 
hence they are called efficacious signs. 

Question 4. What is the visible sign of Confirmatio?t ? 

Answer. It is the outward action by which the Sacrament is 
administered, and consists of matter and form, which signify 
the grace to be conferred. 

It must be observed that Catholic theology distinguishes 
between matter and form in the visible sign of the sacrament. 
The matter is also called the element, and the form the word ; 
whence St. Augustine says: '*The word added to the element 
becomes a sacrament." Thus the matter or element of the 
sensible thing in Baptism is water ; in Confirmation, chrism ; 
in Extreme Unction, the oil. The form or words are used to 
express the meaning of the sensible thing when applied by 
the minister of the sacrament. ''Matter and form, however 
distinct from each other, in reality constitute only one visible 
sign. '' ^ 

Question 5. What are the matter and form of Confirmation ? 

Answer, i. The matter of this sacrament consists in the 
laying on of the Bishop's hands, and the anointing with chrism. 
2. The forin consists in the sacred words pronounced by 
the Bishop, which express the receiving of the Holy Ghost, 
and the sealing of the soul in Christ fesus. 

These two, matter and form, i. e. , the visible sign of Con- 



1 Mark vii. 32, 35. 2 Catech. of Trent, P. ii., on the Sacram. n. 14. 



14 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

lirmation, as used in the ceremony of this sacrament, fully and 
aptly declare its admirable effects upon the soul no less than 
its dignity and excellence. 

I St. As to the matter or chrism with which the person to be 
confirmed is anointed, we have the most ancient tradition au- 
thorizing its use, together with the imposition of hands, the latter 
done by the Apostles themselves, as we read in the Acts, 
ch. viii. 17-19 ; xix. 6 ; and for the former, we have likewise 
the words of the Apostle: "He that confirmeih us with 
you in Christ, and that hath anointed us, is God."* St. John 
reminds the Christians of his day : ** But you have the unction 
from the Holy One. . . . And as for you, let the unction 
which you have received abide in you. "^ The most learned 
of the Fathers, such as St. Cyprian, Theodoretus, Dionysius, 
St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, even Tertullian, * and the so- 
called Apostolic Constitutions, * of great antiquity and weight, 
interpret this unction or anointing in the literal sense, and 
St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr in the persecution of Decius 
in 251, believed that the Apostles had received this in- 
junction from the Lord Himself, viz., the preparation of the 
chrism — Xpi(Tjua — ointment. The Fathers also assert it to 
be of apostolic origin. They lay great stress upon this anoint- 
ing, and they believe that the holy chrism by the action of 
the Holy Ghost conveys the higher spiritual graces to the 
soul. Thus St. Cyril of Jerusalem, ^ St. Cyril of Alexandria, ^ 
St. Augustine.' The Patriarchs of the Eastern Churches in 
their symbols of faith have declared the anointing essential. 
In the Decree of Eugene IV. for the Armenians, chrism is 
declared the matter of Confirmation. 

The Council of Trent declares that the anointing with 



1 2 Cor. i. 21; Eph. i. 13. 2 j Epist. ii. 20, 27. 3 Res. Carn. viii. 
4 vii. 43. 5 Catechesis Mystic, iii. 3. ^ In Isaiam i. 3. 7 In i Epist. Joan., 
Tract. 3» n. 5. 



CA 1 HO Lie DOCTRINE, 1 5 

chrism is essential,^ joined, of course, with the laying on of 
hands, since the rite to be observed includes both — being 
inseparable from each other. It is certain that both, the impo- 
sition of hands and the anointing with chrism, are and have 
been the universal and proper rite of both the Latin and Greek 
Church. 

2d. T\iQform or sacred words employed in the Latin and 
Greek Churches differ somewhat, though essentially denoting 
the same thing. The oldest Latin formula is : Signum Chrisii 
in vitam cBternam, i. e. , The sign of Christ unto life eternal ; to 
which was added later on : In the name of the Father, etc. 
At present the Bishop says : I sign thee with the sign of the Cross 
and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation. In the name of 
the Father, etc.; at the same time he anoints the forehead only. 
In the Greek Church, and in the other Eastern schismatic 
Churches, the anointing is also done on other parts of the body 
with different words, expressive of the sevenfold gifts of the 
Ho'y Ghost, or containing exhortations suited to the virtues 
of a Christian life. The Greek formula, according to the first 
Council of Constantinople, Canon vii., is : 2q)payi^ Sc^pea^ 
nvsvuaro^ 'Ayiov, i. e., the seal of the gift of the Holy 
Ghost. Holy Scripture does not give the prayer itself the 
Apostles made use of, yet it must have been such as to express 
the nature and effect of the sacrament. The Church was be- 
yond doubt competent to determine this prayer or sacra- 
mental formula, and the liturgies of the ancient Churches amply 
prove the fact, 

§ 6. THE HOLY CHRISM. 

Question 6. What is holy chrism P What does the oil signify r 

Answer. i. The holy chrism is composed of oil of olives 

and fragrant balsam. 2. The oil signifies the inward strength 

> Sess. vii. de Confirm, c. 2. 



1 6 MA NUA L OF CONFIRM A TIOK 

conferred upon the soul by the Holy Ghost to sustain her in 
the battle against the powers of evil. 

The ointment used in Confirmation is consecrated by the 
Bishop on Holy Thursday with solemn rite ; it is a pure com- 
pound fitly representing the workings of the Holy Spirit. The 
oil is made from olives, the fruit of the tree so plentiful in 
Eastern countries, and especially in the land which the Saviour 
trod. 

The properties of the oil are manifold : i. To strengthen : 
in ancient times warriors and gladiators before going into battle, 
or into the arena of the circus or amphitheatre, rubbed their 
bodies with oil to render them limber and supple ; oil pene- 
trates the substances upon which it is poured, so that it is difift- 
cult to remove its traces. Thus it invigorates the limbs, to with- 
stand increased exertion and strain. 

Similarly when the Bishop anoints in Confirmation, the 
Holy Ghost anoints the soul, that is, imparts that special forti- 
fymg grace of this sacrament, by which \ve are enabled to stand 
firm in combat with deadly enemies, in the arena of a wicked 
world. As the oil, so the grace of the Holy Spirit penetrates 
the soul, dififusing itself through all its powers : ist, for the 
understanding or intellect to judge all things in the light of 
divine faith, and hold to the importance and end of this life 
with firm convictions ; 2d, for the will to seize and wield with 
unflinching courage the weapons of this great spiritual combat 
unto death. 

2. To quicken : another property of the oil is to render the 
limbs agile, active ; it removes stiffness and rigidity, which 
would be a serious disadvantage in the struggle with a wily foe. 
Quickness, agility hastens victory, and has the advantage over 
slow force. So in Confirmation, the Holy Ghost quickens the 
soul to a keener perception and refreshing alacrity, so necessary 
amid the mist and din of life's struggle. For behold, how 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 17 

often outward glitter and pomp dazzle the intelligence ! How 
many and strong are the allurements that deceive and entice 
the heart in the decoys of the enemy ! Enlightened, quick 
action is often essential to success, while delay and parley tend 
to compromise and imperil the triumphs and victories gained 
by hard efforts. 

3. To assuage is a peculiar property of oil. It softens the 
subtances to which it is applied, and renders them smooth. It 
soothes the sharp itchings of a wound, and gradually lessens 
the swelling of inflamed limbs ; possessing a great calming 
power, it enters largely as an essential ingredient in all balms 
for healing purposes ; sailors pour oil on the troubled waters to 
break the force of the dashing waves. In like manner, oil is a 
fit symbol of the work of the Holy Ghost, who, by His grace, 
makes the soul mild and meek, calming the uprising passions 
with the oil, as it were, of joyful peace, and allaying the storm 
of fierce and unrelenting temptations, thus subduing the soul 
and drawing it to run in the odor of these ointments of the 
Lord.^ The asperities of the royal road of the Cross will be- 
come smoother : the pain and anguish we suffer by persecution 
and tribulation are lessened, in fact, soothed ; the Holy Spirit 
pours into the soul the oil of charity which is patient, kind, 
not provoked to anger, beareth all things, endureth all things, 
never falleth away, but always abounds in consolation ; He more- 
over allays the fever of concupiscence in the soul that yields to 
His gentle sway. 

4. Lastly, the oil serves to illuminate, dispelling darkness ; 
therefore diffuses brightness and lustre. So should the anointed 
Christian like another Christ, i. e., anointed, walk in the ful- 
ness of divine light, and cast off the robes of darkness and 
iniquity. He should by his words and acts reflect that super- 
natural light of the Holy Ghost in the soul. '' Let your light 

I Cant. i. 3. 



i8 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

shine before men that they may see your good works, and 
glorify your Father who is in heaven."^ 

We should henceforward ''declare His virtues, who hath 
called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. "^ 

§ 7. THE BALSAM. 

Question 7. What does the balsa?n mixed with the oil sign'fy ? 

Answer. Balsam is mixed with the oil when it is conse- 
crated by the Bishop, to signify that he who is to be confirmed 
receives the grace to keep himself free from sinful corruption, 
and to send forth the sweet odor of virtue by a godly life. 

ist. The natural balsam, commonly a resinous juice of a 
shrub or plant, has an aromatic flavor ; sometimes the juice 
flows of itself, sometimes after making an incision. Originally 
balsam meant an oleo-resinous liquid exuded from the balsam- 
tree of INIecca, though later the name was applied to extracts of 
numerous leguminous plants possessing a rich aroma. The 
Mecca balsam-tree, also called balm of Gilead — in botany 
known as Balsamodendron gileadense or Amyris — is a native of 
Arabia. It is cultivated in Egypt and Syria, and yields an aro- 
matic flavor of the highest order; but it is only obtained in 
small quantities, and is therefore very costly. (An inferior 
quality, distinct from that which exudes from itself, is obtained 
by pruning the trunk, or by a concoct from the leaves and 
branches, and this was renowned in antiquity as a medical 
remedy — opohalsamum, ) There is yet another soft-fibered balsam- 
tree, a native of Colombia, which yields the so-called bal- 
sam of Peru. According to a Constitution published by Pope 
Pius V. on the 5th of August, 1571,^ we must infer that the 
Mecca balsam was in use for preparing the chrisin. The Pope, 
however, permitted the bishops of the New World to use 
another kind, which was regarded as true balsam, declaring 



Matth. V. 16. 2 I Petr. ii. 9. 3 Bullar. Rom. vii. 934, edit. Taurin. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 1 9 

it a valid and licit matter. Benedict XIV., in a circular 
addressed to the Oriental bishops, said that in those countries 
where the Mecca balsam is not to be found, the Popes did not 
hesitate to allow the bishops to make use of that balsam, w^hich 
came from Brazil or other parts of the New World and the 
Indies, citing for this purpose the Constitutions of Pius V. and 
Sixtus V.^ 

2d. As for the symbolical importance and application of 
balsam, we may say that it represents that action of the Holy 
Spirit, whereby, primarily, the soul is preserved from the death 
and corruption of sin ; secondarily, is enabled to spread the 
sweet odor of a holy life, and emit the savor of works pleasing 
to God. For which reason we may readily understand the 
words of St. Paul: ''Now thanks be to God, who always 
maketh us triumph in Christ Jesus and manifesteth the odor of 
His knowledge by us in every place. For we are the good 
odor of Christ unto God/' ^ Balsam preserves from putre- 
faction, and issues a sweet smell : thus the Holy Ghost in the 
sacrament of Confirmation cleanses the soul from the poisonous 
odors of sin, and invests it with the savor of godly virtues. 
The prayer of the Bishop, when consecrating the chrism, evi- 
dently points to this admirable effect, prefigured by the precious 
compound of balsam and olive oil. ''God grant this virtue 
to the chrism of the Holy Ghost, that by the sanctification in- 
fused by chrism, the corruption of the first birth may be ab- 
sorbed, the holy temple of the soul of each one may breathe 
the lovely odor of an innocent life." (Pontifical.) 

§ 8. DISTINCTIVE SACRAMENTAL FEATURES. 

Question S. How does Confirmation differ from Baptism? 
Answer. Confirmation differs from Baptism in that it has its 
distinctive sacramental attributes, that is, in matter and form, in 



1 Biillar. Rom. xix. 205, § 52, ed. Luxumberg. 2 2 Cor. ii. 14, 15. 



20 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

its proper minister, and in the subject receiving it; lastly in its 
peculiar effects we find that it is a distinct sacrament. 

The first part of our answer is fully set forth in the preced- 
ing sections on the nature of Confirmation. In regard to 
the special effects, the words of Christ promising the Holy 
Ghost point out distinctive workings or effects.^ St. Peter 
promises the Jews, assembled on the day of Pentecost, the 
gift of the. Holy Spirit as an inducement to receive Baptism.^ 
Afterwards he goes with the Apostle St. John to Samaria to 
confer Confirmation on the new converts who had already been 
baptized. St. Paul does the same at Ephesus,^ and when he 
gives a summary of the principal doctrines of Christianity, he 
specially mentions the imposiiion of hands, ^ and the renovation 
in the Holy Ghost, as something distinct from the " laver of 
regeneration," i.e.. Baptism.^ Nowhere in the oldest written 
tradition is Confirmation confounded with Baptism ; the early 
Fathers and writers ever giving to Confirmation its peculiar 
names and attributes. Tertullian, in his works, mentions Con- 
firmation as a ^2s:x2^xi^Ti^. distinct from Baptism.^ In the contro- 
versy regarding the validity of Baptism conferred by heretics, 
St. Cyprian in his Epistles 70 to 76, and Cornelius, Bishop of 
Rome, in his Epistle to Fabian, quoted by Eusebius 6, 43, 
avowedly attest the distinct sacramental dignity of Confirmation. 
Compare above, § 2. The Catechism of the Council of Trent 
says: ^^ Since by the grace of Baptism men are born unto a 
new life, but by the sacrament of Confirmation those who are 
already born, setting aside that which is childish, become men , 
one may easily understand that just as much as in natural liie 
birth differs from growth, so Baptism, which has the power of 
regenerating, differs from Confirmation, by which the faithful 
grow and receive the full vigor of soul." ' 



1 John iv. 14; vii. 38, 39. 2 Acts ii. 38. 3 ib. xix. 6. -* Heb. vi. 1-4. 
s Tit. iii. 5. 6 de Resurr. Carn. 8 ; de Prsescr. 40 ; de Bapt. 7. 7 On 
Confirm., n. 4. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE, 2 1 

While Baptism pours the grace of faith into the soul, so by 
the sacred chrism of Confirmation we are strengthened by another 
grace in order not to be frightened in the profession of the true 
faith, neither by sufferings and tortures, nor in danger of death. 
Melchiades, Pope and Martyr, who died in the persecution of 
Decius in the year 314, says in his letter to the Bishops of Spain: 
"In Baptism man is admitted into the service (militia); in Con- 
firmation, he is made strong. In the font of Baptism, the Holy 
Spirit bestows the fulness of innocence ; in Confirmation, He 
ministers the perfection toward grace: in Baptism, we are born 
again unto life; after Baptism, we are confirmed for battle: in 
Baptism we are cleansed; after Baptism, we are made strong. 
Regeneration keeps in place those receiving Baptism: Confirm- 
ation arms and drills them for the deadly struggle." The 
ancient synods of Elvira in 305, and of Laodicea in 364, are 
both explicit in asserting the distinct sacramental character of 
Confirmation, and prescribe special rites for administering the 
same. That Confirmation is not a supplemental rite to Baptism, 
as some Christian, sects claim,^ is amply proved. Such a doctrine 
is unknown to Christian antiquity. 

It is true that in the early ages Confirmation was usually 
administered after Baptism, as at present in the Greek and 
other Churches in the East. This custom is readily understood 
when we consider that the first converts were adults, and con- 
sequently needed the special grace ot this sacrament imme- 
diately or soon after Baptism. St. Peter said in his first sermon 
on Pentecost : *'Be baptized every one of you in the name of 
Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins : and you shall 
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost T ^ 

At Samaria, the Apostles laid their hands upon them that 
were baptized by Philip, one of the seven deacons, "and they 
received the Holy Ghost,'"^ The sacramental distinction of 



1 Acts ii. 38. "^ lb. viii. 17. 



22 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

Gonfirmation is clearlyvindicated by all the constituent parts of a 
sacrament attributed to it in Holy Writ^ and the apostolic age. 

As we have stated, in the early days of Christianity, Confirm- 
ation was often conferred with Baptism. Even Holy Eucharist 
was sometimes given to children after Baptism. 

Now some pretend that when the children grew up, they 
were brought before the Bishop to ratify the profession of faith 
made in Baptism, and that such was the origin of the rite of 
Confirmation. This is an explanation of modern date, and 
belongs to Protestant denominations, who reject the insti- 
tution of the sacrament of Confirmation by Christ, and have 
introduced a cej-eviony^ which they call Confirmation. It 
consists in the public renewal of the baptismal vows before 
the congregation : or, sometimes, in the rite of solemnly 
receiving those that were baptized into full membership, after 
giving an open public account of their faith. Such a ceremony 
has no grace attached to it, and is not sustained by the 
authority of Holy Writ ; it is a purely human ordinance, and 
cannot be of any weight contrasted with the teaching and the 
acts of the Apostles, when they laid hands upon the Christians 
to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost ; and contrasted with the 
practice of the early Church, such a usage cannot stand the 
test of revealed doctrine ; wherefore the Council of Trent has 
properly and justly maintained the distinct sacramental charac- 
ter of Confirmation against these innovations and modern 
doctrines,^ by the declaration that it is not a mere rite or cere- 
mony, but truly 2iX\di properly 2i sacrament of the new Law. 

§ 9. THE NECESSITY OF THIS SACRAMENT. 

Question g. Is Confirmation necessary to salvatioji? 
Answer, Confirmation is not necessary to salvation, as Bap- 
tism. It should not, however, be omitted through indifi<erence 



1 Heb. yi. 2; Acts xix. 6. '^ Sess. yii. de Confirm., can. 1-3, 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 2 3 

or neglect; for no one, without offending seriously, can despise 
the divine gifts which the Holy Spirit confers upon our souls in 
this sacrament. 

Catholic teaching distinguishes between a twofold necessity 
in matters of salvation ; namely, some things are necessary 
absolutely, necessitate medii ; others, morally necessitate prcBcepii 
That means is absolutely necessary without which there is no 
possibility of saving the soul, as when the Lord declares: *' Un- 
less a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he 
cannot enter the kingdom of God ; "^ and " He that beheveth 
and is baptized shall be saved, but he that beiieveth not shall 
be condemned."^ This is not declared of Confirmation, which 
is only of a relative or moral necessity arising from a simple 
command of God, i. e., a divine precept. Thus by divine com- 
mand. Holy Eucharist must be received if we would have super- 
natural life in us, i. e., sanctifying grace, which is the soul's 
true vitality, yet it is not absolutely necessary so that no one 
could be saved without it. 

Confirmation has been especially instituted and ordained 
for the growth of spiritual life, and to enable a Christian, by the 
special graces therein conferred, to withstand the attacks of his 
spiritual enemies, to maintain the precious gift of faith, and to 
show forth its fruits by the practice of those virtues befitting the 
sublime calling he has received. 

The solicitude which the Apostles themselves evinced that 
the Christians of their day should receive the gifts of the Holy 
Ghost by this sacramental rite, and the importance attached to 
it by the Church throughout all ages to this day, furnish abun- 
dant proof of its necessity, and of its wholesome effects upon 
Christian life. The Catholic Church has ever upheld the dig- 
nity and inestimable value of this sacrament, as by it we receive, 
as it were, the consecratioji ''of a chosen generation, of a kingly 



1 John iii. 5. -Mark xvi. 16. 



24 MANUAL OF CONFIRMA TIOK 

priesthood, of a holy nation," by which all declare the virtues 
of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous 
light. ^ 

Queslion lo. How often may Confirmation be received? 

Answer, Although Confirmation be morally necessary for 
salvation, and its graces very great, yet it would be a grievous 
sin to receive it knowingly more than once, because the char- 
acter it imparts to the soul can never be effaced, although the 
special graces it confers are forfeited by any wilful mortal sin. 

So great are the effects, and hence the dignity of Confirma- 
tion, that no repetition is necessary, and in this respect it is 
alike to Baptism and Holy Orders. Even in cases of apos- 
tasy from faith, and separation from the Church, when those 
who are guilty of so great a sin are again reconciled, they 
must not and cannot be again confirmed, because the soul has 
been forever marked and sealed with the Holy Spirit in the ser- 
vice of Christ Jesus ; the special graces, too, revive when man 
regains the lost state of justice and holiness. 



CHAPTER III. 

EFFECTS OF CONFIRMATION. 

§ lO. ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS. THE CHARACTER. 

Question 1 1, Which are the effects of Confirmation P 
Answer. The principal efi'ects of Confirmation are: i. An in- 
crease of sanctifying grace received in Baptism ; 2. A special 
grace, by which the soul is strengthened in the profession of, 

' I Feter ii. 9. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE, 2 5 

and a life according to, faith, making it strong against the assaults 
of the flesh, the world, and the devil ; 3. An indelible mark 
called character imprinted on the soul, consecrating it forever 
to the service of Christ. 

1st. It is true that by Baptism we are regenerated, i. e., born 
again in Christ by the Holy Ghost; yet in Confirmation the 
Holy Spirit cojnpletes and perfects the work founded in Baptism 
in accordance with the words of St. Paul : '' He that confirmeth 
us with you in Christ, and that hath anointed us, is God, who 
also hath sealed us, and given the pledge of the Spirit in our 
hearts."^ Although having been made Christians by Baptism, 
we are yet as newly-born babes, ^ tender and w^eak, but by the 
sacrament of Holy Chrism we are made strong and robust : 
hence this sacrament has been called by the ancients /)^r/^r//<9;^ 
and consummation, because it increases the grace of Baptism, 
bestowing the fulness of the gifts of the Holy Ghost according 
to its peculiar action upon the soul of man. By Baptism 
sins are washed away, but by Chrism the Holy Spirit anoints 
the soul, says St. Pacianus. 

2d. In Confirmation we truly receive the Holy Ghost. ^ 
He comes upon us,* that is, we are united with the Holy 
Ghost by a most intimate mysterious bond, so that we may apply 
those words of the Aposde in their full bearing : ^'For in Him 
we live, and move, and are."^ On account of this new and 
special grace, we are truly temples of the Holy Spirit who dwelleth 
in us, and thus worketh in us those admirable effects whereby 
' ' the love of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy 
Ghost, who is given us,'' bearing testimony that we are the 
children of God. For the Spirit asks for us with unspeakable 
groanings ; coming to aid our weakness, as we know not what 
we should pray for as we ought.® 



1 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. 2 I Pet. ii. 2. 3 Acts viii. 17. •* ib. xix. 6. -^ lb. 
xvii. 28. 6 Rom. V. 5; viii. 9, 11, 20. 



26 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

Such is therefore the effect of this special and new grace of 
Confirmation, that the Apostle says of those having received the 
Word of truth, the gospel of salvation, that they ^liq signed with 
the Holy Spirit of promise, and utters the following beautiful 
prayer: '^ I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, 
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, 
to be strengthened by His Spirit with might unto the inward 
man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts : that, being 
rooted and founded in charity, you may be able to comprehend, 
with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, 
and depth (of the love of Christ) ; to know also the charity of 
Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled 
unto all the fulness of God. " ^ 

To such an extent does the Holy Ghost fill the faithful soul • 
by Confirmation, that it is called a second Baptism, as Christ 
Himself seemed to indicate when He promised the coming of 
the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles : ''But you shall be bap- 
tized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence ; " ^ or the 
Baptism by fire, when John the Baptist alluded to the Messiah 
before the assembled multitude in these words : "He shall 
baptize you in the Holy Ghost and by fire/'^ 

^\i\$> fulness of God, i. e., of the Holy Spirit, means that the 
soul, besides the increase in faith, hope and charity, is enriched 
with the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Ghost. For in this sense 
only is it said of the Samaritans that ''the Holy Ghost was not 
yet come upon any of them,'" although they had been baptized.* 
As soon as the Apostles Peter and John laid their hands upon 
them, '' they received the Holy Ghost,'' that is to say, the plenitude 
of His gifts. We are clad with the complete armor of God by 
this sacrament, and assume, i. e., take upon ourselves, the rank 
and dignity of a perfect soldier in the kingdom of Christ Jesus 
on earth. 



1 Eph. ill, 14-20. 2 Acts i. 5. 3 Matth. iii. 11. ^ Acts viii. 16. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE:. 1 7 

3d. The so-called Charismala, ox special gifts and powers be- 
stowed upon the Apostles and first disciples, and upon some 
of the Christians in those early days, were extraordinary and 
exceptional — for the purpose, on the part of God, to introduce 
Christian faith or religion, and to give evidence of its divine 
origin and truth. It is, therefore, a great error to assert that, 
when these extraordinary manifestations of the gift of the Holy 
Ghost ceased, this sacramental rite of the imposition of hands' 
had no longer any reason of existence, or no longer produced 
spiritual effects. To work miracles of healing, to prophesy, to 
speak in divers and strange tongues, were by their nature won- 
derful and extraordinary gifts which the Apostles had received 
pardy before the descent of the Holy Ghost, ^ and were often 
given with Baptism, sometimes even before ; a fact that St. Peter 
admits in regard to Cornelius and his household.^ 

The ordinary and essential gifts and effects of the pouring 
out of the Holy Ghost in Confirmation are, therefore, separable 
and distinct from these extraordinary ones, as St. Paul plainly indi- 
cates when he warns the Corinthians not to be eager for these, 
neither to expect them.^ If it please God to accomplish His 
designs, they may be conferred along with the ordinary and 
essential gifts of this sacrament. So it was done in the apostolic 
age, to further a higher aim and divine purpose, namely, to 
spread the gospel, and to establish the Church of Christ. The 
glorious days of martyrdom prove that these Charismata; \. e. , 
visible supernatural powers of the Holy Ghost, did not entirely 
cease after the demise of the Apostles ; throughout all the 
centuries of Christianity there have been examples of these 
spiritual manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Yet aside from this, 
the ordinary 2indi proper effects of this dispensation of the Holy 
Ghost are ever and infallibly connected with the worthy recep- 
tion of this sacrament, as the Council of Trent* and the Cate- 
chism of the same Council declare. Goino^ back to the first 



1 Matth. X. 8. 2 Acts xi. 15. ^ i Cor. xii., xiii. ^ Session vii., Canon vi. 



28 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

centuries of faith, the ancient Fathers and ecclesiastical writers 
aptly distinguish these Charismata from the essential effects of 
this sacrament. Thus we may quote St. Ireneus/ St. Augus- 
tine/ St. Chrysostom/ and Theodoretus.* 

4th. Confirmation, as well as Baptism and Holy Orders, im- 
prints an indelible spiritual mark on the soul, whence, without 
sacrilege, it cannot be received again. ^ This spiritual mark 
does not consist in the fulness of grace bestowed by this sacra- 
ment, which is and can be forfeited by grievous sin ; no, 
but this indelible mark remains in the soul forever, and cannot 
be effaced, whether we shall shine one day in perpetual glory, 
or suffer in eternal ignominy. In the first case, it will 
redound to our greater honor and joy ; in the latter, to our 
greater shame and everlasting reproach. In the language of 
the theologians, this mark imprinted in Confirmation invests 
the soul with a sacred character of a soldier of Christ, in whose 
service we are thus sealed, in order that we may bear a loyal and 
perpetual allegiance to the great King, our Chief As by 
Baptism we are, once for all, marked as children of God and 
members of Christ's mystical body, so by Confirmation we are 
forever stamped, as it were, with this permanent character or 
sign, which has the virtue of a special consecration^ by which, 
moreover, we have taken an oath of fealty, and became invested 
with the armor of Christ to loyally fight the battles against his 
enemies, ''until we all meet into the unity of faith and of 
the knowledge of the Son of God, unto 2l perfect man, unto the 
measure of the age of the fulness of Christ. '' ^ 

§ I I. ON THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

Question 12. Which are the gifts of the Holy Ghost? 
Answer, These seven: i. Wisdom; 2. Understanding; 



1 Adv. Hser.V., n. I. 2 in Ps. 26, Ennar. ii., n. 2. -^ In Horn. xiv. 
in Rom. ^ in i Cor. xii. '^ Sess. vii., Can. ix. 6 Eph. iv. 13. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 2 9 

3. Counsel ; 4. Knowledge ; 5. Fortitude ; 6. Piety ; 7. Fear of 
God/ 

In the sacred rite of Confirmation the Bishop prays that the 
sevenfold Spirit of the Holy Paraclete may come down upon 
them who are prepared to receive His graces. The nature 
and efficacy of these sevenfold gifts must call forth an ardent 
desire to receive them, and enkindle in all upright, God-fearing 
souls sentiments of profound reverence, so as to appreciate the 
wonderful dispensations of Christ, our Head, in His love for 
the members of His mystical body, i. e. , the Church which He 
has purchased by the precious price of His blood. 

The ^x%\.four of these gifts may be said to direct and govern 
the mind or understanding, while the three others apply to the 
will, and direct the impulses of the heart. Not only the mind 
or understanding has been sadly impaired and weakened, but 
the will, too, has suffered by sin, by separation from God, the 
fountain of all love. Therefore the Holy Spirit must needs 
strengthen and purify also this vital power of the soul. 

The Gift of Wisdom. * 

I. Wisdom is that virtue, that most noble of gifts, by which 
the end and purpose of our entire being is shaped and directed. 
It consists in that holy prudence which draws us away from 
the fleeting goods of the world, and raises us to things heavenly 
and lasting. True wisdom is to prize all things according to 
their true and genuine worth or value. "Seek ye first the 
kingdom of God and His justice.'*^ '^ Seek the things that 
are above, not the things that are upon the earth.'' ^ Wherefore 
St. James says : "If any of you want wisdom, let him ask of 
God."* What can mere human wisdom avail .? "Professing 



' Isaias xi. 2. 2 Matth. vi. 33. 3 Col. iii. 2. ^ i. ^. 

* This section and the following one can easily be arranged in ques- 
tions and answers. The latter can be found in the definitions of the gifts 
and fruits of the Holy Ghost. 



so MANUAL OF COXFrkMATION. 

themselves to be wise, they became fools,"' says St. Paul." By 
sin the mind is blinded, therefore it must receive the light of 
the Holy Spirit to get out of darkness. Those who are ever 
governed by human wisdom only, will learn soon that it is but 
folly before God. One day to their confusion will they bewail 
their lot and exclaim: '^We fools — we have erred from the 
way of truth, and the light of justice hath not shined unto us, 
and the sun of understanding hath not risen upon us. "^ 
Nothing can be more precious than the gift of wisdom, of 
which the Holy Spirit is the dispenser, and of Him who is 
wisdom increate and eternal we must implore it most fervently 
in this sacrament. 

The Gift of Under standing, 

2. Under stajiding is that second gift of the Holy Spirit by 
which our mind receives that superior light to penetrate the 
mysteries of God, and to acquire a fuller knowledge of the 
teachings of our holy religion. Sin, too, darkened the under- 
standing, and consequently it sank from its height of heavenly 
light into the lowness of earthly shadows. To raise up this 
great mental power, to scatter the dense shadows and bring the 
mind again to divine contemplation, is the admirable effect 
which the Holy Ghost works in our understanding. Wherefore 
the prophet beseeches the Lord : ''Give me understanding, 
and I will search Thy law, and I will keep it with my whole 
heart. "^ How many simple persons with this gift of the Holy 
Spirit, surpassed mighty minds and put to confusion proud 
philosophers ! 

The Gift of Counsel. 

3. Counsel is that gift by which the Spirit of God leads the 
troubled soul out of the snares of the evil spirit, and guides 
those led by Him through the winding paths of worldly schools 



1 Rom. i. 22. 2 Wisdom, v. 4, 6. ^ Psalm cxviii. 34. 



CA J HO Lie DOCTRINE. 3 1 

and sects. How serious are the doubts which render choice 
so difficult, how harassing and perplexing the suggestions that 
hide the rays of heavenly light from the mind ! For this reason 
the righteous always implore that gift of the Holy Spirit which 
points to the surest way, the safest remedy to get rid of inde- 
cision, wavering, skepticism, the labyrinth of so many souls 
that drift away from truth revealed and duties most sacred. 

The Gift of Knowledge, 

4. Knowledge, finally, is that gift by which the Holy Spirit 
enriches the mind with that superior science which controls its 
thoughts and sentiments in accordance with divine revelation. 
It fills the soul with holy conviction that exerts such wholesome 
influence and wields so great a power over others, as we read 
of the Fathers and great Doctors of the Church, the preachers 
and expounders of the faith. It is of this gift of knowledge 
that St. Bernard writes : ' ' There are some who strive after 
knowledge, to merely know, and that is abominable curiosity ; 
there are others who seek after knowledge to become prominent 
and gain applause, this is sickly vanity ; others again aim at 
knowledge for the sake of gain, and this is despicable traffic ; 
lastly, there are those who acquire knowledge to be well 
grounded and instructed in their duties, and hence to lead 
others in their sacred obligations, and this is true knowledge, 
and truly the gift of the Holy Ghost. ''/^ Of what avail is mere 
human knowledge, when divorced from the divine and eternal } 
Great minds have not unfrequently fallen into the abyss 
because their knowledge was not inspired from above and 
guided by the Holy Spirit. Of such knowledge St. Paul says : 
''It puffeth up."' 

The Gft of Fortiiude. 

5. Fortitude is that gift of the Holy Spirit which gives us 



1 Serm. 26, in Cantic. 2 i Cor. viii. I. 



32 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

the courage to overcome the obstacles that oppose our salva- 
tion. That proneness to evil is what the Apostle means when 
he says : 'M find then a law, that when I have a will to do good, 
evil is present with me. For I am delighted with the law of God 
according to the inward man. But I see another law in my 
members, fighting against the law of my mind, captivating me 
in the law of sin."'^ The pagan poet expressed the same sad 
truth : Video vieliora proboque, deteriora sequor, i. e., I see that 
which is better and approve of it, but I follow that which 
is worse. The will of man thrown upon itself, unaided by 
grace, will be found too weak and wavering between good and 
evil, the law of the spirit and the law of the flesh. It is God, 
the Holy Spirit, ''Who worketh in you, both to will and to 
accomplish ;'" ^ and thus our infirmity is made perfect by the gift of 
fortitude.^ The admirable effects of this gift conferred by the 
Holy Spirit are most conspicuous in the martyrs who have 
endured tortures of every kind, even death most cruel. Our 
frail heart sighs for this supernatural strength, promised by 
the Saviour through the coming of the Holy Ghost into our 
hearts, so that every Christian thus fortified may exclaim : 
"Thanks be to God, Who always maketh us triumph in 
Christ Jesus.''* 

The Gift of Pieiy. 

6. Piety or Godtiness is that peculiar gift which sweetly 
bends the will into union with God, and yields cheerfully to 
Him as a child to his father. To serve God becomes, by this 
gift of piety, a light and sweet burden ; the soul loves to com- 
mune with Him by prayer, thus acquiring the grace of devo- 
tion, which plunges it, as it were, into an inexhaustible source 
of peace, joy and consolation. It is the spirit of godliness 
which breathes in such a Christian. ''The Spirit also helpeth 
our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as 



1 Rom. vii. 21 ff. 2 Philipp. ii. 13. 3 2 Cor. xii. 9. 4 lb. ii. 14. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE, 33 

we ought ; but the Spirit Himself asketh for us with unspeak- 
able groanings. "^ To study the lives of the saints, and to 
examine the example of the righteous and eminent Christians 
throughout all ages, will furnish proofs most convincing of the 
working of this gift of the Holy Spirit in the soul. 

The Gift of Fear of God, 

7. Fear of God is that gift which fills the soul with a holy 
horror against sin, and anything that displeases God. This fear 
is a filial one, and constantly exercises a salutary check upon 
the passions by inspiring dread of the divine judgment, ever 
reminding us that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of 
the living God,^ that is, to die in mortal sin — an enemy of 
God. Fear of God is called the beginning of wisdom, for 
this reason that the will is steeled against all allurements, will- 
ing to sacrifice worldly considerations and honors, disregarding 
human respect rather than incur divine displeasure and wrath, 
mindful of the Saviour's words : " Fear ye not them that kill 
the body, . . . but rather fear Him that can destroy both body 
and soul into hell.'*^ 

§ 12. THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

Question ij. Which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit P 
Answer, The twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are Charity. 

foy. Peace, Patience, Benignity, Goodness, Longanimity, Faith, 

Modesty, Contineficy, and Chastity.'*' 

Holy Scripture very frequently compares man to a tree that 
brings forth fruit. Whereto our Saviour adds : "Every tree that 
bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down, and shall be 
cast into the fire. "^ As Christians we have been planted in 



1 Rom. viii. 26. 2 Heb. x. 31. ^ Matlh. jc. 28, •» Gal. v. 22, 23. 
' Matth. vii. 19. 



34 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

God's garden — that is, His Church on earth — in order to bring 
forth good fruit. Now the time has come when the heavenly 
Gardener looks for these fruits. By the sacrament of Confirma- 
tion, **you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming 
upon you/'^ whereby we are ''filled with the fruit of justice 
through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."^ 
We must show by our lives that the Holy Ghost is in us. 
''By their fruits you shall know them/' says our Saviour.^ 
Hence the Apostle, after recounting the works of the flesh 
which exclude from the kingdom of God, and enumerating 
the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, which make us to be Christ's, thus 
concludes : "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the 
Spirit/'* 

''Neglect not the grace that is in thee. "^ These words 
may be said to everyone who has received in confirmation 
the fruits of justice in the Holy Spirit. These fruits we must 
preserve in our souls through our whole life. "For we must 
all be manifested before the judgment- seat of Christ, that every 
one may receive the proper things of the body, according as 
he hath done, whether it be good or evil.'"^ "Bring forth 
fruits in patience," are the words of the Lord.'' "May the 
God of peace sanctify you in all things ; that your whole spirit, 
and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless for the coming 
of our Lord Jesus Christ."^ 

The Fruit of Charity. 

I. Charity consists in the love of God and our neighbor. 
Of this precious fruit it is said : " The charity of God is poured 
forth in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. "^ It is the test oi the 
in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts ; the foundation of 
all justice; "the first and greatest commandment;"^*' "the 



1 Acts i. 8. 2 Phil. i. II. 3 Matth. vii. i6. 4 Gal. v. 19-25. & i Tim. 
iv. 14. c 2 Cor. V. 10, 7 Luke viii. 15. « \ Thess. v. 23. 9 Rgm, v. 5. 
)*^ Luke XVI. 27, 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE, 35 

fulfilling of the law ;'"^ " the bond of perfection."^ *' Above all 
have charity," says the Apostle. Had we not this love, we 
would have received the Holy Ghost in vain. His love con- 
sists in ''that we keep His commandments; and His com- 
mandments are not heavy. '*^ The Lord declares: ''He that 
hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth 
Me.''* It w^ould be a sad illusion and a mockery to pretend 
to love God, and transgress His commandments : for every 
wilful mortal sin breaks the bond of love between God and 
man. Genuine love strives ever to please God. Such was the 
love of the Son of Man, who says: "I came down from 
heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent 
Me. '"^ "I always do the things that please Him.''^ "I 
have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you 
do also.''' The Apostles and saints, all the just, walked in the 
footsteps of their divine Master. "Who then shall separate us 
from the love of Christ.? shall tribulation, or distress, or famine, 
or nakedness, or danger, or persecution, or the sword .^''® The 
love of this world and the love of God cannot dwell in the same 
heart. Our God is a jealous God, and therefore claims our 
entire love and homage. The love of our neighbor is included 
in this love of God : "This commandment w^e have from God, 
that he who loveth God love also his brother."^ Yea, the 
Apostle hesitates not to assert : "If any man say, 1 love God^ 
and hateth his brother, he is a liar. '"^^ Our neighbor, too, 
possesses the image of God in his soul ; he, too, is redeemed 
by the blood of Christ. " By this shall all men know that you 
are My disciples, if you have love one for another. '"^^ We are to 
love our fellow-creatures not ' ' in w^ord, nor in tongue, but in 
deed and in truth, "^^ as our Model and Prototype did. Where- 
fore the Apostle says : "Be ye therefore followers of God, as 

1 Rom. xiii. lo. 2 Col. iii. 14. 3 i John v. 3. ^ John xiv. 21. ^ lb. 
vi. 38. 6 lb. viii. 29. ' lb. xiii. 15. « Rom. viii. 35. 9 I John iv, 21^ 
i*' lb, iv. 20, n John xiii, 35. 1- i John iii. l^^ 



36 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

most dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved 
us. "^ In what manner we are to do this is plainly stated: 
''AH things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do 
to you, do you also to them/'^ And according to the wise ad- 
monition of the elder Tobias to his son : ''See thou never do 
to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by 
another."' No one, be he friend or foe, is to be excluded, for 
Christ's sake. No doubt to practice this will require self-denial 
and severe struggles, but the Holy Spirit will confer this grace 
as He did with the early Christians, of whom it is written : 
" The multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul."'* 
The world was astounded, so that the heathens exclaimed: 
Behold how they love one another, and are ready to die ! Let 
us heed the Apostle's injunction : "Now lay you also all away 
anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech ; . . . put 
ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the 
bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience ; bear- 
ing with one another, and forgiving one another."^ Doing 
this, the second fruit of the Holy Ghost will follow you and be 
your portion. 

The Fruit of Joy. 

2. How can true and lasting joy dwell in a perverse and 
wicked heart? On the contrary, "tribulation and anguish 
upon every soul of man that worketh evil."^ The sinner may 
delight in sensuality, indulging his evil passions ; but, alas ! it 
is a false fleeting joy, soon changing into bitterness and sorrow. 
The thought of the severe judgments of God, and the pangs of 
conscience, bring on tribulation and sadness ; for the kingdom 
of God is not meat and drink, that is, does not consist in sen- 
sual delights, but is justice, and peace, and joy in the Holy 
Ghost.' "A secure mind is like a continual feast/'^ If we 



1 Eph. V. I, 2. 2 Matth. vii. I2. » Tob. iv. i6. 4 Acts iv. 32. ^ Col, 
iii. 8-13. 6 Rom. ii. 29. ^ lb, xiy. 17. ^ Prpy. xy. 15. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE, Z7 

walk in the love of God, and find our delight in ready obedi- 
ence to His holy law, even though in the midst of trials. and 
tribulation, we can say with St. Paul : ''I am filled with com- 
fort, I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation.'^ 
'' He that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him." ^ 
Joy is the inheritance of those to w^hom the Holy Spirit gives 
testimony, that they are the sons of God.^ Truly \h.\?> joy 0/ 
the heart, beating in unison with the divine will, is that sweet 
and precious fruit, coming to us by the pouring out of the 
Holy Ghost. 

The Frtiii of Peace, 

3. Peace is the third fruit of the Holy Spirit ; it is born of 
love and joy. ''Much peace have they that love Thy law, '' 
says the psalmist.* Peace only reigns in the soul that is free 
from the grievous burden of enmity with God, contracted by 
deadly sin ; and sacramental absolution procures this effect 
and restores peace ; for the wicked have no peace, says the 
Holy Spirit. ''My peace I give unto you,'' says the Lord, and 
He does so to the fullest extent when the Holy Ghost descends 
into our souls by this sacrament. Joy supposes peace, peace 
brings joy. Hence there is a close affinity between these two 
spiritual fruits, and they are inseparable from each other. 
Peace is defined by St. Thomas, tranquillity of order ; but order 
consists in the harmony of law, i. e., of the human will with 
the divine will ; therefore disorder creates strife and contention, 
the result of revolt w^hich closed the gates of heaven. The 
Messiah was heralded by the glorious title Princeps Pads, 
Prince of Peace ; and when the Word was wade flesh, His 
advent on earth, as the choir of heavenly spirits over Beth- 
lehem's fields announced, brought peace to men of good will/ 
When the Saviour triumphed over death and appeared to His 



1 2 Cor. vii. 4. 2 I Juhn iv. 16. ^ Rom, viii, 16, ^ Psalm cxviii. 185. 
^ Luke ii. \\ 



SS MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

Apostles, the first greeting was, ''Peace be to you. ''^ "For 
God is not the God of dissension, but of peace/' ^ Among 
those who are blessed our Lord mentions the peaceable, the 
peacemakers, for it is characteristic of the children of God/ The 
Apostle declares of the Redeemer : ' ' He is our peace, who hath 
made both one, breaking down the middle wall of partition, 
. . . and coming, He preached peace to you that were afar 
off, and peace to them that were nigh. For by him we have 
access both in one Spirit to the Father.''* It pleased the 
Father through Christ '' to reconcile all things unto Himself, 
making peace through the blood of His cross, both as to the 
things on earth and the things that are in heaven/'^ He estab- 
lished peace between heaven and earth. We must enjoy this 
peace with our fellow-men : '' If it be possible, as much as is 
in you, having peace with all men. '' ^ It is a most estimable gift, 
and St. Augustine calls ''peace the cheerfulness of mind, the 
rest of the soul, the simplicity of heart, the bond of love ; it de- 
stroys enmities, ends war, bridles anger, keepeth down the 
haughty, loves the humble, unites those opposed to each other. 
It is something agreeable. He who possesses it, let him cling 
to it ; he who hath lost it, let him strive to regain it.'' As the 
early Christians were of one heart and of one mind, so must we 
be united and breathe peace throughout our lives. 

The Fruit of Patience. 
4. Patience is that fruit of the Holy Spirit which disposes 
the soul to be resigned and composed in suffering and tribula- 
tion. No one is exempt from them, for '^ great labor is created 
for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam 
from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb until 
the day of their burial into the mother of all." ' God permits 



1 Luke xxiv. 36 ; John xx. 19, 20. - i Cor. xiv, 33 ; Rom. xv. 33. 
3 Matth. V. 9. 4 Eph. ii. 14, 17, 18. ^ Col. i. 20. e Roni. xii. 18, 
7 Eccles. xl. 9. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 39 

these trials, so that our virtue be tested and our merit increased ; 
wherefore St. James says: ''Knowing that the trying of your 
faith worketh patience. And patience hath a perfect work. " ^ 
The Lord calls those blessed who, according to His own ex- 
ample, suffer patiently.^ By patience we submit to the disposi- 
tions of a loving Providence ; it teaches us ever to thank God. 
Patience aids our infirmity. For this fruit of the Holy Ghost 
we should always pray, that He may ''confirm your hearts 
without blame, in holiness before God and our Father, at the 
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. " ^ Finally, 
it is by patience that we shall possess our souls.* Nothing can 
be more conducive to victory than patience ; hence the Apostle 
tires not to repeat that the Lord may direct our hearts in the 
charity of God, and the patience of Christ,^ and again he adds : 
' ' Now the Lord of peace Himself give you everlasting peace 
in every place ;''® which peace secures that patience ''neces- 
sary for you, that, doing the will of God, you may receive the 
promise.""^ 

The Fruit of Benignity, 

5. Benignity is that disposition of heart that inclines to 
charity in our sentiments towards our neighbor. "Those are 
called benignant, whom the good fire of love makes fervent in 
doing good to their neighbors," says St. Thomas.** He who 
always seeks to interpret the words and actions of his neighbor 
favorably and attributes no malice to him ; who rather ex- 
cuses than condemns ; who "thinketh no evil,"^ he is kind. 
Unjust suspicion, prejudice, evil constructions in word or 
thought, rash judgments, are not compatible with a benignant 
mind. We should be inclined, says St. Bernard, to favor the in- 
tention, if we cannot excuse the act. The malice of the world, 



J Epistle i. 3, 4. 2 Matth. v. 11. 3 i Thess. iii. 13. ^ Luke xxi. 19. 
5 2 Thess. iii. 5. ^ ib. 16. 7 Hebr. x. 36. « S. Th, i. 2, q. 70, a. iii, 
9 I Cor. xiii. 5. 



40 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

which takes umbrage on the sHghtest pretext, must put a benig- 
nant man on his guard. To judge rashly, i. e., without good 
and sufficient cause, is to sin against justice. Every man has a 
right to be esteemed righteous and innocent ; claiming the 
same privilege in our own behalf, why not respect it for others ? 
You have often not the knowledge to pass justly upon your 
fellow-man. Or can you penetrate into the recesses of his 
heart.? God alone knows the motives of acts or omissions. 
'*! am the Lord that search the heart, and prove the reins : 
who give to every one according to his way, and according to 
the fruit of his devices."'^ Do not presume to interfere with 
this prerogative of God. ''Wherefore, '' says St. Paul, ''thou art 
inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art, that judgest. "^ Christ 
our Lord says : "Judge not that you may not be judged. 
For with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you 
again. "^ Verily, a lovable trait of character is benignity, chas- 
tened by divine grace, and, as it were, a sweet bud of charity ; 
it attracts all and surrounds those who possess it with a certain 
halo in this life; hence the Apostle urges us: "Put ye on 
therefore, as the elect of God, . . . the bowels of mercy, 
btnigniiy,^ etc., '' and "be ye kind one to another.'"^ 

The Fruit of Goodness. 

6. Goodness denotes a readiness to be benevolent, wherever 
and whenever we can, towards all. " Charity is kind."® We 
know^ well those words : "If any man say, I love God, and 
hateth his brother, he is a liar." We must not content our- 
selves to assure the poor, the afflicted, of our sympathy only ; 
but goodness is ready to console, to help, to bless, whenever it 
can. "Let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed 
and in truth. ""^ Such was the goodness of all sincere Chris- 
tians. "If a brother or sister be naked, and w^ant daily food. 



» Jerem. xvii. lo. 2 Rom. ii. i. 3 Matth. vii. i, 2. ^ Col. iii. 12. 
' Eph. iv. 32. 6 I Cor. xjii. 4. "I John iii. 18, 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 4 1 

and one of you say to them, Go in peace, be you warmed 
and filled, yet give them not these things that are necessary for 
the body, what shall it profit?'' ' Not even our enemies can be 
excluded from sharing in \k\\$> goodness of heart ; not indeed, for 
selfish motives, but for God. ''Whatsoever you do, do it 
from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men. " ^ Do not inter- 
pose your inability, your want of means; you can always spare 
something w^hich, as the mite of the widow, has merit before 
God. Your counsel, your prayers, will alleviate misery and 
affliction, that the Father of mercies may grant help and con- 
solation in good season. ''Blessed is he that understandeth 
concerning the needy and the poor. The Lord will deliver him 
in the evil day. ''^ "Alms delivereth from death, purgeth from 
sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlastmg."* 

The Fruit of Longanimity. 

7. Longanimity is that species of charity which inclines us 
to bear with our own infirmities, faults and imperfections, and 
with those of our neighbors.^ It is indeed a fruit bestowed on 
our souls by the Holy Ghost, and we need it throughout our 
lives. "In many things we all offend," says the Apostle St. 
James. How many are the occasions that present themselves 
for the exercise of this virtue ? "Charity beareth all things, 
endureth all.''® "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so you 
shall fulfill the law of Christ.''' Oftentimes this may prove a 
severe task, but it will be sufficient to consider the longanimity of 
God in our behalf We cannot escape the logical conclusion ; 
we cannot palliate our hardheartedness, impatience and passion- 
ate outbursts. Does God always show His wrath, and punish 
us when we provoke Him ? "Thou art a gracious and merci- 
ful God, patient and of much compassion, and easy to forgive 



1 James ii. i6. 2 Col. iii. 23. ^ Psalm xl. 2. ^ Tob. xii. 9. ^ s. Th. 
i. 2. q. 70, art. iii. iv. ^ I Cor. xiii. 7. ^ Gal. vi. 2. 



42 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

all/' says the prophet.^ The life of our Lord is replete with 
this spirit of longanimity towards His own disciples who failed 
to understand things the most simple, which caused Him to 
say : "■ How long shall I suffer you V^ When the Samaritans 
refused to receive the Lord, His disciples would command fire 
from heaven to consume them, whereupon He rebuked them : 
"You know not of what spirit you are. "^ When, at the close 
of day, attended by many fatigues and labors, the multitude 
continued to press around Him, and brought also their children 
that He might bless them, the Apostles forbade them ; but the 
Lord again interfered, saying : ''Let them come unto Me, and 
forbid them not/'* In the intercourse of daily life, in the 
family circle, amid friends and towards servants even, and infe- 
riors, how precious a fruit of genuine charity is forbearance ! 
To this end the Apostle exhorts all : '' Bear wdth one another, 
and forgive one another if any have a complaint against one 
another ; even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also/'^ 

The Fruit of Mildness, 

8. Mildness, or meekness, is closely allied to longanimity, 
and presupposes it ; in fact, cannot exist without it. Mildness 
is that virtue which subdues anger, bad temper, and the sus- 
ceptibilities of nature in dealing with our neighbors. St. Thomas 
teaches that meekness, restraining man's ire, disposes our soul 
to bear quietly the evils done to us by others.^ Like a 
delicious fruit growing on the tree of charity, it is without 
doubt an effect of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Meekness 
is opposed to anger and irascibility. Nature is prone to wrath, 
quick to murmur, ready to burst into evil temper ; hence 
a source of harm and offense : it often fills the heart with 
bitter feelings, which take the outward form of reproach. 



1 Jonas iv. 2. 2 Mark ix. 1 8. 3 Luke ix. 55. 4 Matth. xix. 14. ^ Col. 
iii. 13. « S. Th. i. 2, q. 70, a. iii. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 43 

of slurs, and of language calculated to wound our fellow- 
beings. Meekness teaches us to suppress these uprisings 
and coarse emotions according to those words : "Charity is 
not provoked to anger. " ^ *' Meek are those who are not driven 
with the struggles of discord, or not \vorried by anger, who are 
not hardened by asperity, who are not spurred on to rage or 
cruelty, " says St. Ambrose, ' ' but rather hold close to God with a 
loving heart, and carry themselves mildly and gently wdth their 
neighbors, striving to calm by silence, by a pleasant word, or 
by patient suffering, any provocation to harshness or anger. 
Meekness enables us to keep in reasonable subjection any ex- 
citement of mind, to check the tongue in order not to repay 
abuse with abuse, reviling with reviling. The meek heart 
may keenly feel the affronts and injuries offered, and be tempted 
to impatience, murmuring ; but it know^s how to check the 
emotions of the soul ; it loses not its composure, and acts, speaks, 
judges calmly and dispassionately. The result, the fruit of 
spiritual grace, is that imprecations, blasphemy, cursing and 
such like, do not defile the lips of those that possess this fruit 
of mildness and are mindful of the invitation of the Lord, who, 
by word and example, blesses them that follow Him. ^' Learn 
of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart. '^'^ '^Blessed 
are the meek; for they shall possess the land/'^ Behold 
His meekness in suffering so many injuries, revilings and re- 
proaches ; in His conduct towards His disciples, and towards 
Judas: "Friend, whereto art thou come.^"* From the very 
cross, in return for mockery and insult. He prays : "Father, 
forgive them." Truly could He say : "Learn of Me, because 
I am meek.'' As the Lord, so the disciple. "I beseech you," 
says St. Paul, "that you w^alk worthy of the vocation in which 
you are called, w^ith all humility and mildness, with patience, 
supporting one another in charity. " ^ The holy deacon Stephen, 



1 I Cor. xiii.. 5. 2 Matth. xi. 29. ^ ib, y. 4. ^ ib. xxvi. 50. 5 Epf^^ ly. 2. 



44 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOX. 

in the midst of those gnashing with their teeth at him, prayed : 
**Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.'"^ Alas, what a con- 
trast do so many Christians show, in regard to this most desira- 
ble and precious fruit of the Holy Ghost ! 

The Fruit of Faith, 

9. Faith, or fidelity, is that virtue which inclines to abide 
with filial confidence in God towards all men, *'so that we do 
not harm our neighbors by fraud or cunning/'^ Both by 
natural and divine law do we owe fealty to God, our Creator 
and Supreme Lord. As Christians we took the vows of fidelity 
in baptism and confirmation ; by oaths most sacred are we 
bound to a loyal and perpetual allegiance to our great King 
and Chief. To break these vows, to violate these oaths, would 
it not be treason and perjury, crimes detestable alike before 
God and man ? Therefore it is written for the angel of the 
Church of Ephesus : ''Be thou faithful unto death, and I will 
give thee the crown of life/"' How have we kept this fidelity 
to the standard of the Cross, the sign we received on our fore- 
heads ? *' What has Christ done to thee," says St. Cyprian to 
the faithless Fortunatus, ''that you have deserted Him, and 
given yourself in bondage to Satan, from which He delivered 
you by His blood ? You have promised Him fidelity in the 
sight of the Church, you have received the Holy Ghost and His 
gifts as a pledge of the crown of glory which was prepared for 
you. " This fidelity must be shown by a firm compliance with 
the duties of your calling. What must we think of those 
Christians who neglect the obligations of their sacred dignity, 
of which St. Paul writes: "Walk worthy of the vocation in 
which you are called." 

This fidelity towards God involves a similar line of conduct 
towards our fellow-creatures. Honor and self-respect demand 



1 Acts vii. 59. 2 S. Th. 1. c. 3 Apoc. ii. 10. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE, 4 5 

that we acquit ourselves faithfully of our word and promise to- 
wards all, even though sacrifice and self-denial were the price 
of doing so. The Holy Ghost praises the man "that speaketh 
truth in his heart, who had not used deceit in his tongue; 
that sweareth to his neighbor and deceiveth not."^ '*They 
that deal faithfully please Him (the Lord)/'^ What a rare 
thing among men is fidelity ; and yet what a glorious fruit 
which the Holy Spirit bestows upon us, if we but implore it 
and jealously watch lest we lose it. 

The Fruit of Modesty, 

lo. Modesty is that virtue which regulates our exterior ac- 
tions, and lends a lovable grace and affability even before the 
world. '^Let your modesty be known to all men. ''^ It holds 
affinity to moderation and is founded on it, and springs from 
it ; in fact, modesty is the outward expression of moderation. 
Modesty teaches us measure in the enjoyment of earthly things 
and pleasures. ''What doth it profit a man, if he gain the 
whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul.?"* Mod- 
eration leads to a proper estimate of all things placed at our 
disposal, or within our reach, and restrains from over-indul- 
gence, arrogance, or presumption. It places the mind in that 
disposition which, while supposing the faculty of judging things 
according to their true value, enjoins at the same time a rea- 
sonable use of them. Consequently, based upon a correct 
idea of the importance of the things of this earth, moderadon 
inclines the mind to an humble sense of its own worth and 
standing, and, inasmuch as it is apparent in our life, it adds 
the virtue of modesty. We may indeed seek temporal goods, as 
wealth, possessions, honors, yet we must subordinate them to 
those of a higher order, and regard them only as means of 
reaching our final destiny. Whosoever exceeds the limits of 



1 Psalm xiv. 3, 4. 2 Prov. xii. 22. ^ Philipp. iv. 5. * Matth. xvi. 26. 



46 Manual of confirmation. 

rational or lawful ambition in the race for honors, distinction 
and weahh, and wantonly indulges mammon, sins against 
moderation, and places the true end of life in jeopardy. " He 
that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent/'^ ^'He 
that loveth gold shall not be justified. . . . Gold is a stumbling- 
block to them that sacrifice to it : woe to them that eagerly 
follow after it. "^ St. Paul emphatically declares: "They 
that will become rich fall into temptation, and into the snare 
of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, 
which drown men into destruction and perdition.''^ Those 
that are moderate in their desires and have the spirit of suffi- 
ciency will reap more abundantly heavenly gifts. "The covet- 
ous man will not be satisfied till he consume his own soul."* 
On the contrary, '^ The life of a laborer that is content with 
what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treas- 
ure."^ "Do not believe," says the great St. Chrysostom, "that 
a great fortune will bring you joy; you can only enjoy yourself, 
if you do not strive to be rich. As long as we thirst, so long 
endures the torture ; if we exhausted all wells and drank from 
a thousand fountains, the torture would only become greater." 
This race for money and pleasure is justly likened to a fever — 
a feverish man can never quench his thirst. 

Moreover, the virtue of moderation tends also to restrain 
too great a desire of enjoyments, and love of sensual delights : 
for therein lies a great danger to the soul. " The kingdom 
of God is not meat and drink ; but justice, and peace, and joy 
in the Holy Ghost. "^ Only that man can enjoy peace and 
happiness who, seeing his substance increase, uses it with mod- 
eration, and lives a frugal life. Those who indulge to excess, in 
whatever it may be, will be dragged into dishonor, poverty, dis- 
grace, and final ruin. The Lord Himself gives this warning : 
"Take heed to yourselves lest perhaps your hearts be over- 

1 Prov. xxviii. 20. 2 Eccles. xxxi. 5, 7. 3 i Tim. vi. 9. "*■ Eccles. xiv. 9. 
» lb. xl. 18. 6 Rom. xiv. 17. 



CA THOLIC DOCTR TXE. 4 7 

charged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this 
life; and that day (of judgment) come upon you suddenly/'^ 
Faithful to God and your neighbor, moderate in your desires 
and in the use of earthly goods and pleasures, what genuine en- 
joyment and peace of heart will be yours ! Modesty wuU thus 
flow gently and freely in conversation and action, and as a fruit 
conferred by the Holy Ghost, will issue forth the good odor of 
a Christian soul. 

The Fruit of Coniinency\ 

II. Conh'nency \s that virtue which enables us to abstain 
even from things not forbidden/ and keep the flesh in subjec- 
tion and curb the sensual appetites. That we cannot indulge 
and yield to the impulse of corrupt nature without being sev- 
ered from the love of God, and becoming slaves of our pas- 
sions, is evident. '*' Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from 
thy own will. If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will 
make thee a joy to thy enemies.'*'^ The Apostle likewise ad- 
monishes : ''Let not sin therefore, reign in your mortal body, 
so as to obey the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members 
as instruments of iniquity unto sin ; but present yourselves 
to God as those that are alive from the dead ; and your 
members as instruments of justice unto God.''* We cannot 
but groan under this preponderating proneness to evil ; courage 
is required to withstand the temptations and relentless attacks 
of the enemies of the soul. Those who have succumbed and 
tasted of the forbidden fruit may again fall prey to the powers 
of darkness. To maintain the ascendency of the spirit over 
the flesh, to arm ourselves against concupiscence, we must 
practice the virtue of continency, even so as to deny ourselves 
many things, if we would grow strong against evil promptings. 
^*The imagination and thought of man's heart are prone to 



1 Luke xxi. 34. 2 S. Thorn., 1. c. 3 Eccles. xviii. 31. -* Rom. vi. 12 f. 



4 8 J/A XUA L OF CON FIRM A TIOX. 

evil from their youth. " ^ The predominant evils are pointed out 
by the Apostle : "All that is in the world is the concupiscence 
of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride 
of life. ''^ Aided by the Holy Spirit, we shall conquer and 
triumph over all our enemies. A sensual world and perverse 
fashion of life, mere natural maxims, abhor restraint and 
deprecate continency : indulgence to excess, unbounded sway 
to all sorts of pleasures and appetites, is the gospel of these 
modern days. The terrible consequences to old and young are 
apparent on every hand, the dreadful ravages in homes and 
families, once so exemplary, must be traced to this unbridled 
supremacy of unlimited, immoderate enjoyment. It is pre- 
cisely this breaking loose from the moorings of reason and 
faith which sends so many into the torrent of destruction, nay, 
into the jaws of hell. Therefore in youth continency must be 
practiced and held most sacred. ''A young man, according 
to his way, even when he is old, he will not depart from it."^ 
'* Consider," says St. Francis de Sales, ''the extraordinary con- 
tinency of our Lord Jesus Christ, who treated His sacred body 
with extreme severity, to give us an example. If the cross of 
continency seems too hard, remember the vinegar and gall 
with which Christ satisfied His thirst upon the Cross." 

The Fruit of Chastity, 

12. Chastity^ the last among the fruits of the Holy Spirit 
we have considered, crowns the whole work of spiritual life in 
God. Chastity is that gem of virtue which keeps the body in 
that purity demanded by our state of life. It consists in either 
abstinence or continence. In the former sense, it means inno- 
cence and virginity, and has been properly styled the lily 
among virtues. ' ' O how beautiful is the chaste generation with 
glory, for the memory thereof is immortal, because it is known 



1 Gen. viii. 2i. 2 j John ii. i6. ^ Prov. xxii. 6. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE, 49 

both with God and with men/' ^ Chastity is the brightest orna- 
ment of the soul ; it sheds around itself a halo and lustre in- 
comparably sublime ; it distinguishes man by dignified bearing, 
noble mien, winning modesty ; inspires with awe and rever- 
ence ; even compels the approval and esteem of the libertine. 
A chaste soul bears the very imprint of godliness, the Holy 
Spirit dwells therein as in His own temple, and Jesus is its 
exemplar and prototype, who said: ''Blessed are the clean 
of heart, for they shall see God. '' ^ 

Chastity, in the latter meaning, implies that purity of soul 
which is a necessary condition of holiness and justice even in 
the married state. St. Paul addresses himself to all Christians 
when he says : " For this is the will of God, your sanciifica- 
tion : that you should abstain from fornication, that every one of 
you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification 
and honor ; not in the passion of lust, like the gentiles that 
know not God. '" ^ Alluding to the higher promises, he adds : 
''Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse 
ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, 
perfecting sanctification in the fear of God.''* In the sacra- 
ment of Confirmation the Holy Ghost sets up His throne, and 
invests the soul with purity and chastity. "Know you not 
that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God 
dwelleth in you } But if any man violate the temple of God, 
him shall God destroy : for the temple of God is holy, which 
you are.''^ "All should walk,'' says St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 
"for God in the path of chastity ; young men and virgins, old 
and young, all should practice chastity, and praise God. Let 
us acknowledge the glory of chastity, for its crown is that of 
the ano:els." 



1 Wisdom iv. i. '^ Matth. v. 8. 3 j Thess. iv. 3-5. -* 2 Cor. vii. i. 
•^ I Cor. iii. 16, 17. 



50 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 



CHAPTER IV. 

MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION. 

§ 13. ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER. 

Question 14. Who has power to co?iJirmP 

Answer, The power to confirm resides in the bishops of the 
Church, who, succeeding the Apostles, are the ordinary minis- 
ters of Confirmation. Priests may become exiraordinaiy min- 
isters thereof by delegation of the Apostolic See. 

1st. Such is the dignity of Confirmation that, according to 
s;riptural tradition and practice, only the Apostles administered 
this sacrament; therefore, deacons had not the power, as ap- 
pears from Acts viii. 14-18 ; xix. 6. This power of dispensing 
the fulness of grace was reserved to more perfect ministers in 
Orders and Jurisdiction, i. e., the Apostles. From the Apostles 
this right descended to their successors in office, and hence 
we see that the bishop is ever recognized as the true, lawful 
and ordinary minister of Confirmation. The earliest ancient 
tradition, written and unwritten, or practice, testifies to this right 
of the bishop, as is witnessed by the Apostolic Constitutions : 
'/And after that (baptism), let the bishop anoint those that are 
baptized with ointment" (iii. 16). Cfr. Pope Cornelius in his 
letter to Fabius of Antioch, quoted by Eusehius in his History 
of the Church, vi. 43 ; Cyprian of Carthage, in his 73d Letter ; 
Pacian in his Epistle to Symprose, i, n. 6; the Synod of 
Elvira, Canons 38, 77; Intwcenl I. of Rome, Epist. ad Decent, 
c. iii.; St. Jerome, adv. Lucifer, n. 9; St. Augustine, Trinit. xv. 
26, 46 ; Leo, Epist. %%, and many other Fathers and early synods, 
f, i. Hispal. 11. c, vii. The Council of Florence calls the bishop 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 5 1 

the ordinary minister of Confirmation (Decretum ad Armen.), 
and the Church has rejected the assertion that a simple priest 
can ordinarily administer this sacrament, in the general Council 
of Trent.^ This particular and exclusive right of the bishops 
corresponds to the elevated rank of this sacrament. While the 
construction of an edifice is intrusted to those of an inferior 
grade, the completion of the same, the crowning of the struct 
ure, used to be reserved to the architect, or, more properly, to 
the master workman. In like manner, the crowning of the 
spiritual edifice which is begun in Baptism belongs to him who 
holds the highest rank and dignity among the ministers of 
Christ. As the commander of an army exercises the right of 
enrolling officers and soldiers, so the consecration of men for 
Christian warfare and service devolves upon the chief shepherds 
of Christ's flock, that is to say, the bishops.^ In Confirmation, 
those who are baptized are sealed and anointed by him who 
possesses the plenitude of the priesthood. The bishops exercise 
this right not precisely in virtue of the higher order, received 
in consecration, but in virtue of their superior jurisdiction in the 
Church. St. Jerome positively declares this to be the ancient 
doctrine of the Church.^ 

2d. Hence, though the bishop is the ordinary minister of 
Confirmation, a simple priest may by special delegation become 
its extraordinary minister .; not having the power himself, he 
may be vested with its exercise by him in whom resides the 
fulness of power in the Church. In accordance with the actual 
discipline, the Holy Apostolic See delegates this power to 
priests ; but the chrism they use on such occasions must have 
been consecrated by the bishop.* But this extraordinary 
privilege is granted only in exceptional, important and urgent 



1 Sess. vii. de Confirm., c. iii. 2 Calech. of Trent, P. ii., on Confirm., 
n. 10, II. 3 Adv. Lucifer, n. 8, 9; Epist. ad Evangel., 146. ^ Deer. 
Eugen. iv. pro Armen. ; Pallavicini, Hist. Condi. Trid. 9, 7 ; Bened. xiv. 
De Syn. Dioc. 1. vii., cc. 7, 8, 



5 2 MA NUA L OF CON FIRM A TIOK 

cases ; in countries where there are no bishops. Such a prac- 
tice was known in the earlier ages.^ In 1483, the Council of 
Florence^ speaks approvingly of the fact that by dispensation 
of the Holy See, for a reasonable and most urgent cause, a 
simple priest administers the sacrament of Confirmation with 
chrism consecrated by the bishop. In the Greek and other 
Churches of the East, Confirmation is quite generally adminis- 
tered by a priest immediately after solemn Baptism, but only 
by special delegation from the bishops, sanctioned, or at least 
tolerated, by the Apostolic See, as is the case with those 
Churches again united with Rome. When the Maronites 
accepted the Latin rite, the power to administer Confirmation 
by the priests was withdrawn.^ At the Council of Florence 
the Greeks acknowledged that the power to confirm in this 
manner was exercised in pursuance of the canons of the 
Church, canonice et legitime. Concerning the ancient practice 
and teaching of the Greek Church there can be no doubt ; 
the Western or Latin Church, however, consistently adhered to 
the principle of reserving the ordinary administration of Con- 
firmation for the bishops. St. Chrysostom * plainly declares 
that the communication of the Holy Ghost was a privileged 
gift — 6(^pov e^aiperov — of the Apostles, and hence none 
but the chief pastors — Kopvcpaioi — had the same power. 



1 Concil. Arausic. (441) c. i.; Arelat. II. cxxxvi. ; Barcin. (599) c. xvi. 
2 Decret. pro Armen. 3 Assem. cod. liturg. iii. p. 187. ^ Horn, in Actus, 
xviii. 3. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 5 3 



CHAPTER V. 
DISPOSITIONS FOR CONFIRMATION. 

§ 14. AGE OF THE CANDIDATES AND OTHER NECESSARY CONDITIONS. 

Question i^. Who can ajid should 7'eceive Confirmaiion P 
Answer. Any baptized person can receive it, yet it should be 
received at an age when one is sufficiently instructed in the 
truths of religion, and when the dangers to faith begin to mani- 
fest themselves, that is, when the full use of reason is attained. 

Although it cannot be denied that in the early days of Chris- 
tianity Confirmation followed closely after or was at times con- 
nected with Baptism even of younger children, as is still the 
practice in the Eastern Churches, yet even in those early ages 
instances are not wanting where Confirmation was separately 
administered, as we infer from the apostolic narrative at Samaria. 
Catechumens who received Baptism during a serious illness 
were confirmed on recovery, and St. Jerome admits that at his 
time the bishops went into the country to confirm those who 
had been baptized by priests and deacons.^ 

The present discipline of the Church, in usage for a long 
period, inclines to admit to Confirmation only those who have 
attained the use of reason ; at least the seventh year, and more 
generally^ according to the injunction of the Catechism of the 
Council of Trent, the twelfth year is the proper period of life.^ 
Children are without doubt better disposed and prepared to 
receive the fulness of the gift of the Holy Spirit after having 
been instructed and admitted to first Holy Communion. It 



1 Adv. Lucif. 2 1. c., n. 15. 



54 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

must be left, says our authority just quoted, with the pastors to 
fix the time, and watch with great care, that the type of a 
Christian ht perfected hy the sacred unction of the Holy Ghost 
in this sacrament in the souls of their flocks. 

The bishops, as chief pastors of the flock of Christ, have, 
with this purpose in view, generally laid down wise and whole- 
some regulations governing the preparation and reception of 
this sacrament in their respective dioceses. Our times and the 
condition under which we live render the precious gifts of this 
mystery of the Holy Spirit more desirable than ever, and there- 
fore the results upon our youthful Christians must be invaluable 
when the work is faithfully prepared in the hearts and minds of 
the elect of God. 

Question i6. Which are the necessary conditions for receiving 
Confii^mation P 

Answer. \. To receive this sacrament validly we must have 
been made members of the Church by Baptism. 2. To receive it 
worthily, we must be in the state of grace ; that is, the soul must 
be free at least from all mortal sin. 3. We must be well in- 
structed in thechief doctrines of faith, especially as to the nature, 
effects and dignity of this sacrament. 4. We must ardently desire 
the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and therefore prepare our hearts 
by devout prayer and other good works. 

I St. No sacrament can be given to a person incapable of 
receiving it, says St. Thomas. But it is only by the sacramental 
character of holy Baptism that man is made capable of receiving 
the other sacraments. Hence whosoever has not imprinted on 
his soul that baptismal seal, cannot receive any other sacra- 
ment.^ For this reason we say that Baptism is the door lead- 
ing to the other sacraments. Hence, as we learn from Holy 
Scripture and the teaching of the Church, none but a person 
baptized is qualified to receive Confirmation, 



1 In 4, dist. 24, q. I, a. 2, ad 3, 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 5 5 

2d. To receive a special sacramental grace, the soul must be 
in a proper disposition. Confirmation being 2. sacrament of the 
living, a necessary condition for receiving it worthily is the 
absence of the guilt of grievous sin. Where there is no super- 
natural life, which consists in that intimate union of the soul 
with God by sanctifying grace, any increase or strengthening is 
impossible. Where there is no life, there can be no growth. 
Whosoever receives Confirmation in such a state of disgrace 
before God, cannot, although receiving the sacramental character^ 
obtain that special increase of sanctifying grace ; however, as 
soon as this obstacle, mortal sin, shall have been removed, the 
sacrament will produce its proper effects. When baptismal 
innocence is lost by mortal sin, it can only be regained by 
reconciliation with God ; either by an act of perfect contrition, 
or by the sacrament of Penance, or both combined. Therefore 
sanctifying grace is indispensable in the subject or person, if 
he would receive not the mere outward sign, but also its pecu- 
liar graces ; for the Holy Ghost cannot enter a soul where Satan 
reigns. The necessity for receiving Confirmation with this 
disposition of soul is obvious. ''What participation hath jus- 
tice with injustice } Or what fellowship hath light with dark- 
ness } And what concord hath Christ with Belial .? " ^ 

§ 15. DIFFERENT KINDS OF PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Question ly. How manifold and of what ki^td is the prepar- 
ation P 

Answer. The preparation for Confirmation is twofold, as 
well of the mind as of the heart ; and again, both are divided 
into a remote and proximate preparation. 

1st. The reniote preparation of the mind consists in acquiring 
the knowledge of the Christian doctrines and commandments 

' 2 Cor. vi. 14, 15. 



56 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

in general ; ih^ proximate in being properly instructed concern- 
ing the nature and effects of Confirmation. 

As by divine precept Confirmation is morally necessary in 
order to become a perfect Christian and a valiant soldier to 
face the attacks of formidable enemies, it is necessary that he 
who is to be confirmed should be familiar with the principal 
truths of holy faith. By Baptism we receive the faith as a 
virtue infused into the soul — by Confirmation we are strength- 
ened to profess that faith. Now, it is a strict duty to give testi- 
mony of the faith in us/ 

Now, can this be done if we are ignorant of its teachings ? 
Divine faith is intended to shine and win respect before the 
world by those who '' adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour 
in all things," says St. Paul.^ For this reason the Christian 
becomes an intrepid champion of the faith, when he can say 
of himself as the Lord did : " For this I was born, and for 
this came I into the world, that I should give testimony to the 
truth. "^ 

No one, therefore, should be admitted to Confirmation un- 
less he know the Lord's Prayer, the Angelic Salutation, ihe 
Apostles' Creed, the Commandments of God, the Precepts of 
the Church, the doctrine of the Sacraments, and especially 
should he be acquainted with the admirable effects and dignity 
of this sacrament/ 

2d. The remote preparation of the heart consists in the purity 
of conscience; hence a good confession must precede. The 
proximate consists in recollection and spiritual retirement, so as 
to enkindle corresponding sentiments of love and desire for the 
gifts of the Holy Ghost. 

A most essential condition is purity of heart. The love of 
God is poured out into our hearts by the Holy Ghost, when 
sin and iniquity are expelled therefrom by penance. It is a 



1 Matth. X. 32, 33. 2Tit. ii. 10. 3 John xviii. 37. -i C. Bait, PI. ///. 218. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 5 ^ 

great sin to receive this sacrament with the stain of mortal 
guilt on the soul, — ^just as it is a sacrilege to receive it more 
than once. The Apostles were commanded by their Lord, 
''to stay in the city till you be endued with the power from on 
high."^ 

After the Lord rose up to heaven, ''all were persevering 
in prayer."^ "They were all together in the same place."' 
Thus it was in retirement and prayerful recollection that the 
Apostles and faithful disciples disposed themselves and en- 
kindled their hearts with a longing for the coming of the Holy 
Spirit. So great a reverence becomes those wishing to be 
endued with the Holy Ghost in Confirmation, that it is the 
desire of the Church to join fasting, a praiseworthy and ancient 
custom, to the other works of piety.* 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE LITURGY OF CONFIRMATION. 

§ 16. ON LITURGICAL CEREMONIES. 

Question 18. What is the liturgy of Confirmation P 
Answer. The liturgy means the sacred rite which the 
Church has prescribed for the administration of this sacrament. 

The ceremonies, ox sacred acts, that is, \he liturgy, a word 
adapted from the Greek, are set forth in those official books 
called respectively the Ritual, the Pontifical, the Missal, the 
Breviary, and the Ceremonial of Bishops. According to these 



1 Luke xxiv. 49. 2 Acts i. 14. 3 lb. ii. I. ^ Catech. of Trent, 1. c, 
n. 16. 



5 8 MA NUA L OF CONFIRM A TIOK 

i\\e public worship of the Church must be carried out. Liturgy 
has gradually developed from the apostolic age down to our 
day ; it consists in those rites which the Church, guided by the 
Holy Spirit, commands the bishops and priests, and her minis- 
ters, to make use of in the administration of the sacraments, 
in the celebration of the holy sacrifice, and in the other public 
offices or services. This ceremonial has become very elaborate, 
and as far as it relates to the celebration of the sacrifice of Mass, 
and to the administration of the sacraments, is partly essential, 
i. e., o^ divine precept, '^2ixiXy accidental, i. e. , \yy ecclesiastical oxd\- 
nance. 

The first reason why ceremonies are employed is apparent, 
when we consider how dependent we are from the senses in 
receiving impressions, so that by the things visible we rise to 
the invisible, from the material to the spiritual. Thus the 
mind may be raised by signs and symbols to the higher super- 
natural effects which are therein contained and represented J 
For, the visible signs of the sacraments are also efficacious signs 
of grace, as we have observed when treating of the matter and 
form of Confirmation. Another reason for the use of ceremo- 
nies, with whose effects and meaning the faithful should be 
made familiar, lies in the fact that the sacraments are thus ad- 
ministered with becoming dignity, calculated to inspire awx 
and respect, while the sublime, divine gifts are by them con- 
veyed to the soul, and hence more vividly impressed on the 
minds of the faithful.^ 

§ 17. THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION. 

Question ig. How is Confirmation administered P 
Answer, i. The Bishop about to confirm, with his hands 
extended towards those to be confirmed, prays that the Holy 



^ Counc. of Trent, de Sacrif. Miss. 2 Catech. of Trent, p. ii. de Bap- 
tis. lix. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 5 9 

Ghost descend upon them with His sevenfold gifts. 2. He 
lays his hand upon each one, anointing him with holy chrism 
on the forehead by the sign of the Cross and pronouncing the 
sacramental words, 3. He gently strikes each one on the 
cheek, and finally gives all who have been confirmed his bene- 
diction. 

It is sufficiently clear that, after what has been said con- 
cerning the matter and form of this sacrament (§. 5), the man- 
ner of administering the same closely follows that observed by 
the Apostles and during the early ages. 

I si. The opening prayers. General imposition of hands. 

As soon as the Bishop is vested with the robes and symbols 
of his high-priestly office, with the mitre upon his head, hold- 
ing the pastoral staff in his left hand, he proceeds to the middle 
of the altar. Here invoking in silent prayer the Holy Ghost, 
he turns about, and, sitting on the faldstool, washes his hands. 
This washing of the hands signifies the purity and sanctity with 
which the ministers of the sacraments should proceed to dis- 
pense the divine mysteries. ''I will w^ash my hands among 
the innocent, and will compass Thy altar, O Lord ! ''^ ''Thou 
shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow;"^ by 
which words the royal psalmist refers to the cleansing of the 
soul. Thereupon the Bishop rises, and turning again towards 
those to be confirmed, joining his hands before his breast, all 
the candidates meanwhile kneeling, he prays as follows : 
''May the Holy Ghost come down upon you, and may the 
power of the Most High preserve you from sin. '' To which 
all may answer "Amen/' i. e.. So may it be. Then the Bishop, 
signing himself with his right hand from the forehead to the 
breast says : 

K Our help is in the name of the Lord. 



I Ps. XXV. 6. 2ps. 1. 9. 



6o MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

R. Who hath made heaven and earth. 

V. O Lord, hear my prayer. 

R. And let my cry come unto Thee. 

V, The Lord be with you. 
R, And with thy spirit. 

With his hands extended towards those to be confirmed, he 
says : 

LET us PRAY. 

Almighty, everlasting God, who hast vouchsafed to regen- 
erate these Thy servants by w^ater and the Holy Ghost, and hast 
given unto them the remission of all their sins^ send forth upon 
them Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Holy Paraclete from heaven. 

R. Amen. 

V, The spirit of wisdom and of understanding. 

R. Amen. 

V. The spirit of counsel and of fortitude. 

R, Amen. 

V. The spirit of knowledge and of godliness. 

R. Amen. 

Replenish them with the spirit of Thy fear, and sign them 
with the sign of the cross ^ of Christ, in Thy mercy, unto 
life eternal. Through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord, w^ho liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the 
same Holy Spirit, God, world without end. 

R, Amen. 

a). This raising 2LTvdL extending oi \\\^ Bishop's hands is a sym- 
bol of peculiar divine protection, according to those words of 
Isaias: ''In the shadow of His hand He hath protected me/'^ 
''The lifting up of my hands as evening sacrifice."^ "I 
stretched forth my hands to Thee. " ^ The communication of 
the Holy Ghost, who is to be our Protector and Consoler, is 
thereby indicated. We are thus placed in this spiritual child- 



1 xlix. 2. 2 Ps. cxl. 2. 3 Ps. cxlii. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 6 \ 

hood under the guardianship of the Holy Spirit, that we may 
preserve beneath the wings of His guidance the inestimable 
gifts of faith against all our enemies. 

h). The prayer accompanying this ceremony expresses the 
effect upon the soul of His servants, who have already been 
regenerated by baptism unto the remission of all their sins. 
The sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete from 
heaven, descend upon them. The gift of wisdom^ that they 
may henceforth relish and love the things divine ; the gift of 
understanding, that they may be imbued with the holy truths and 
mysteries of faith ; the gift of counsel, that they may seek in 
season whatever is for the glory of God and their own salva- 
tion ; the gift oi fortitude, to obtain courage to surmount and 
defy all obstacles and temptations ; the gift of knowledge, that 
they may be enlightened to walk in the paths toward heaven, 
and avoid the circuitous ways leading to perdition ; the gift of 
piety, that they may find it easy and sweet to bear the yoke of 
Christ; the gift oifear, that they may dread to incur divine 
displeasure, and be ever filled with salutary awe. 

c). The making the sign of the cross signifies the pledge of 
redemption and of victory given to the disciple of Christ unto 
life everlasting. 

2d. The essential rite. 

a). The Bishop now sits on the faldstool, or, if the num- 
ber of persons to be confirmed requires it, he stands with his 
mitre on, and confirms them, arranged in rows and kneeling in 
order. As each approaches the Bishop, and while in a kneel- 
ing posture, he lays his hand upon the head of the candidate 
before him, inquiring the name of each one who is presented 
to him by the godfather or godmother. These remain stand- 
ing with their right hand placed upon the right shoulder of their 
spiritual wards. 

Already in the old Law, the laying on of hands was used as 



6 2 AfA NUA L OF CON FIRM A TlOK. 

the symbol of communicating divine blessings. Thus the 
patriarch Jacob placed his hands upon the sons of Joseph, and 
blessed them.^ Moses laid his hands upon Josue, when he 
ordained him as his successor.^ In the new Law the Lord laid 
His hands upon the little ones, blessing them ; likewise upon 
the sick that were brought to Him ; and finally, gave His 
Apostles the power to bestow the gifts of the Holy Ghost by 
the laying on of their hands. In virtue of the same power, the 
Bishop does the same, pronouncing the sacramental words, by 
which the Holy Spirit descends upon each one, and remains 
with W\s gifts in the soul as long as the love of God is not 
expelled therefrom. 

b). The Bishop, dipping his thumb into the holy chrism 
and repeating the Saint's name which is taken by each one, 
pronounces the sacramental formula: N. I sign thee with the 
sign of the Cross, ^ and at the same time anointing him upon 
the forehead in the form of a cross, continues, A 7id I confirm 
thee with the chrisjn of salvation. In the name of the Father, ►J* 
and of the Son, ^ and of the Holy^ Ghost. R. Amen. Then, 
striking him gently on the cheek, he says : Peace be to thee I 

Question 20. Why is the forehead anoi^ited with the sigit of 
the Cross ? * 

Answer, i. To teach us that sacramental grace is given in 
virtue of the sacrifice of the Cross only. 2. To remind those 
confirmed that they must not be ashamed to boldly profess 
their faith in Christ Jesus crucified. 3. That by this sacred 
unction the soul is sealed in the Holy Ghost by a spiritual, 
indelible mark, which enrolls those confirmed forever in the 
service of Christ. 

a). The anointing is done on the forehead, because it is 
the seat of honor; for modesty, shame and confusion bring 



1 Gen. xlviii. 14. 2 Deut. xxvii. 23. 

* On the meaning of the anointing with holy chrism, see §§. 6, 7. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 63 

blushes to the front. The signs of these affections commonly 
show themselves on the forehead/ Hence the Council of 
Florence says : ''The forehead is the seat of modesty; there- 
fore is the Christian anointed there, that he should not be 
ashamed of the name and cross of Christ which is a stumbling- 
block to the Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles/' We are 
ready to exclaim with the Apostle : ''God forbid that I should 
glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."^ The Chris- 
tian anointed in this sacrament is strengthened to profess his 
belief in Christ Jesus with an unblushing front and candor of 
heart, whenever the glory of God or the edification of his neigh- 
bor requires it. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel.''^ "Not 
without cause did Christ imprint His seal upon our front, the 
seat of shame, that we Christians should not be ashamed of 
His abasement."* Nay, the Christian must put aside all fear and 
human respect and never blush of his Lord and Master, bearing 
in mind : ' ' He that shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of 
him the Son of Man shall be ashamed, when He shall come in 
His majesty^ and that of His Father, and of the holy angels/' ^ 

h). The Bishop does the anointing by the sign of the Cross, 
which is formed on the nobler part of the body, just as a soldier 
is distinguished by special insignia from other men. ® The Cross 
is the standard of victory over sin, death and hell ; it is the 
glorious emblem of our Chief; it represents the sum total, as it 
were, of His doctrine. Therefore a Christian soldier can under 
no pretext whatsoever desert the Cross of Christ, the mark of 
which he received on his forehead. It would be treason to 
abandon His standard by going over to the enemy by wilful 
mortal sin. 

jd. The blow on the cheek. 

Question 21. What does the slight bloiv on the cheek signify P 



^ Catech. of Trent, p. ii. de confirm. 20. 2 Qal. vi. 14. 3 Rom. i. 16. 
4 St. Augustine, Expl. m Ps. xxx. ^ Luke ix. 26. ^ Catech. of Trent. 



64 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

Answer. It should remind the Christian that being anointed 
and strengthened, he shoul'd be a valiant athlete, ready to suffer 
with unflinching heart every adversity, even death, for the name 
of Christ. 

The Christian, after being confirmed, should rise " endued 
with the power from on high ;'' ^ and patiently endure affronts 
for his faith. The Lord Himself has set the example before 
us when He received a blow from the servant of the high- 
priest.^ Besides, did He not foretell these things: ''The 
servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted 
Me, they will also persecute you/'^ Albeit we may not, as in 
the early ages of persecution by fire and sword, be placed in 
chains and dungeons, yet temptation, contempt, calumny, 
mockery, reviling, will be our portion, if we prove loyal and 
God-fearing. Of the Apostles it is written : ''They went away 
from the presence of the council rejoicing that they were ac- 
counted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus/''* 

St. Charles Borromeo says : "The newly confirmed Christian 
should know that he became a soldier whose battle and victory 
should not consist in casting about reproach, but rather suffer- 
ing the same ; he should know not to seek the pleasing and 
comfortable things of life, but the meek endurance of trials 
It is his duty to stand in the front array of battle, and should 
so face the assaults and spears of the enemy that, although they 
may wound the body, ambition and earthly goods, they will in 
no wise hurt the soul." Of such the Lord said : " Blessed are 
they that suffer persecution for justice sake : for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven." "Blessed are ye when they shall re- 
vile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against 
you, untruly, for My sake : be glad and rejoice, for your reward 
is very great in heaven. " ^ 



J Luke xxiv. 49. 2 John xviii. 22, 23. 3 John xv. 20. ^ Acts v. 41. 
' Matlh. V. 10 ff. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 65 

Question 22. What does the Bishop say when he gives the 
blow on the cheek of those confirmed ? 

Answer. He gives them the greeting of peace in the Lord : 
''Peace be with you T' which means, that now he who is con- 
firmed enjoys the peace of God, the Holy Ghost, that is, the 
fulness of heavenly grace. 

This peace can only be preserved amid great trials and tribu- 
lations. Yet we must remember that the Holy Spirit is called 
the Paraclete, i. e., the Comforter, who gives us "the peace 
of God, which surpasseth all understanding/' and which will 
' ' keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. '' ^ It is the sweet- 
est fruit of the Holy Spirit, and all our efforts must be directed 
towards keeping this peace with God and our fellow-men. 
When the Bishop gives this gentle admonition with the wish of 
peace, you should take away with you this important lesson, 
that without the grace of the Holy Spirit, which Christ so 
bountifully provided in this and other sacraments, there can be 
no true peace nor genuine happiness here below. The Apostle 
beseeches all to support ''one another in charity, careful to 
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ''^ 

4th. The concluding praytrs and blessing. 

1. When all have been confirmed, the Bishop wipes and 
washes his hands, during which the choir or clergy sing or 
read the following Antiphon, all in the meantime kneeling : 
"Confirm, O Lord, that which Thou hast wrought in us, from 
Thy holy temple which is in Jerusalem." ^ V. Glory be to the 
Father, etc. The Antiphon "Confirm, etc.," is then repeated. 

2. The Bishop now rises, and, standing before the altar with 
hands joined before his breast, says : 

V. Show us Thy mercy, O Lord. 
R. And grant us Thy salvation. 



1 Philipp. iv. 7. 2 Eph. iv. 2, 3. 3 pg, |xvii. 29, 30. 



66 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

V, O Lord, hear my prayer. 
R, And let my cry come unto Thee. 

V. The Lord be with you. 
R, And with thy spirit. 

Then, with his hands still joined before his breast, all those 
confirmed yet kneeling, he prays as follows : 

LET us PRAY. 

God, who didst give to Thine Apostles the Holy Spirit, and 
didst ordain that by them and their successors He should be 
delivered to the rest of the faithful, look mercifully on the ser- 
vice of our humility, and grant that the hearts of those whose 
foreheads we have anointed with the sacred chrism, and signed 
with the sign of the Holy Cross, may by the same Holy Spirit 
descending upon them, and vouchsafing to dwell therein, be 
made the temple of His glory. Who with the Father and the 
same Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God, world without end. 

R. Amen. 

Then he adds : Behold, thus shall every man be blessed that 
feareth the Lord. 

3. The Bishop turning about toward the persons confirmed, 
imparts with the sign of the Cross over them the following 
blessing : 

May the Lord bless ^ you out of Sion, that you may see the 
good things of Jei'usaltm all the days of your Ife, and have Ufe 
everlasting. ^ 

R. Amen. 

§ 18. WHAT THE CANDIDATES OUGHT TO OBSERVE JUST BEFORE 
AND DURING THE SACRED RITE. 

Question 2j. How should the candidates present themselves 
for this holy rite P 

J Ps. cxxv. 5, 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 6 7 

Answer, i. They should appear in decent and modest at- 
tire or dress. 

2. They should have their forehead neat, and the hair so 
arranged as to leave the forehead open and free to be anointed. 

3. They should approach the altar with due reverence and 
with hands joined before their breast. 

Question 24. What should the candidates do when about to be -■ 
confirmed P 

Answer, i. They should most fervently ask for the gifts of 
the Holy Spirit. 2. They should promise to live and die as 
loyal, faithful soldiers of Christ. 3. They should be present 
from the beginning of the sacred rite and remain till the Bishop 
has given the benediction. 

The fulness of the sacramental grace of holy Confirmation 
consists in the seven gifts of which the prophet Isaias speaks.^ 
When the Bishop spreads his hands over those to be confirmed, 
he uses those words at the beginning of the sacred rite, which 
call down the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit. Therefore 
should the aspirants for this effusion of the Holy Ghost into 
their hearts warm up in divine love and burn with ardent de- 
sire and holy purpose. 

It behooves the solemnity of the occasion, when all the 
faithful assemble in the house of God to greet their chief pas- 
tor about to administer the sacrament of the Holy Ghost in 
their midst, that especially those who are the centre of attrac- 
tion, as it were, should present themselves with every outward 
mark of piety and recollection in their whole bearing and de- 
meanor. The sacred edifice, the altar and surroundings, bring 
before their minds the great festival-day, like another Pente- 
cost, where everything breathes holiness. They who are to be 
endued with the power from on High, should in their very coun- 

i xi. 2, 3. 



68 MANUAL OF CONFIRMA TIOK 

tenances reflect that holy awe and fervor with which their souls 
are filled. They should beware of all vanity and ostentation 
in their attire and behavior, mindful of the Apostle's advice : 
''Whose adorning let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, 
or the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel ; but the 
hidden man of the heart in the incorruptibility of a quiet and 
meek spirit, w^hich is rich in the sight of God.''^ 

Those who are about to be consecrated by the Holy Ghost 
to the more perfect service of Christ, their Lord and Chief, 
should not gaze idly about them, but unite themselves in prayer 
with the Bishop in all modesty of mien and warmth of heart : 
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful children, en- 
kindle within them the fire of Thy love. 

After having been anointed by the Bishop with the seal of 
the Holy Ghost, and after the attending priest has wiped ofi" 
their forehead, let them return to their place in the same devout 
manner, and imagine themselves among the holy Apostles 
and disciples with the blessed Mother of our Lord, all aglow 
in sentiments of joy and thanksgiving. 

During the whole ceremony let all remember the words of 
the Apostle : ''Let all things be done decently, and according 
to order. ^ '' 

§ 19. THE CHRISTIAN NAME TAKEN IN CONFIRMATION. 

Question 25. Why is a new na??ie takeji in Confirmation p 
Answer. The candidate for Confirmation takes another 
name to the one received in Baptism to remind him : i. That 
he is to place himself under the protection of yet another patron 
Saint, whom he chooses as his advocate before God. 2. That 
he is to follow the exemplary life of this new patron, remaining 
steadfast unto death. 

What is enjoined by the Church with regard to the name to 



1 I Petr. iii. 3, 4. - \ Cor. xiv. 40. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 69 

be given a child in Baptism, must equally apply to the name 
taken at Confirmation. Choice should be made of the name 
of a Saint, i. e., one who has been assigned to that distinction 
for his great piety and extraordinary sanctity of life, so that he 
may serve as a pattern to copy in their lives. Heathen, pro- 
fane or meaningless names should be rejected, also names likely 
to recall the memory of heroes of doubtful fame, nay, of im- 
piety and unbelief ^ The candidates may appropriately take 
the Christian names of their Sponsors or other benefactors. 
The Lives of the Saints should be consulted for this purpose, 
but by no means works of fiction or romance, as is, alas, often 
done. It is a sad reflection upon our Christian ideals that the 
fashion of mere worldly standard should creep into our Chris- 
tian homes and families. 



CHAPTER VII. 
SPONSORS AND PARENTS. 

§ 20. OFFICE OF SPONSORS. THEIR QUALITIES AND NUMBER. 

Question 26. Why are Sponsors taken in Confirmation ? 

Answer. As in Baptism, so in Confirmation, the Sponsors 
present the candidates to the Bishop, and take upon themselves 
the sacred obligation of standing by them, both by word and 
example, in the spiritual combat for which they are initiated 
by this sacrament. 

The Sponsors at Baptism are related to those whom they 
held over the sacred font, as fathers and mothers in God. They 



1 Catech. of Trent, p. ii. On Bapt., n. 60, 6i. 



70 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

ought, therefore, to watch over their spiritual children, and see 
that they be instructed in the faith and imbued with the maxims 
of a Christian life. 

When the young Christian grows up to manhood and is 
about to be solemnly consecrated to the service of Christ by 
Confirmation, he should have another Sponsor to encourage 
him and to stand by him, giving him the benefit of his experi- 
ence against his spiritual enemies in the severe and earnest 
struggle of a Christian soldier's life. In olden times, when the 
gladiators were to go into the arena of the circus or amphi- 
theatre to fight with wild beasts, or with their miserable fellow- 
slaves, they were trained by others in the use of weapons and in 
the exercise of their limbs, so as to make them adroit and agile 
to ward off the attacks, and by skilful movements to slay their 
adversaries. Even to this day, those are called seconds who . 
attend the principals in deadly strife. In similar manner the 
young Christian about to enter the ranks of a soldier of Christ 
receives a Sponsor as guardian of his future fidelity. 

Question 27. What is required of Sponsors in Confirmation P 

Answer, i. They must be practical Catholics of good re- 
pute. 2. They must have been confirmed, and be sufficiently 
instructed to comply with their duties as spiritual guardians. 
3. They must be others than the Sponsors of Baptism. 

According to those words of our Lord, ^^If the blind 
lead the blind, both fall into the pit ;'' ^ how can those who 
are not faithful Christians take upon themselves this office of 
being guides, if by their conversation and example they can- 
not be looked upon as models by their spiritual children.? If 
they are not well imbued in divine doctrine and in the practice 
of Christian virtue, how will they be able to lead and aid those 
who are )et weak and inexperienced ? If they themselves have 

1 Matth. XV. 14. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 7 1 

not been made strong and firm Christians by the grace and the 
gifts of the Holy Ghost in holy Confirmation, how can they 
ever give strong help and support, good advice and counsel to 
those who are taught to look up to them in the batdes and 
difficulties of the Christian life? 

The Sponsors of Baptism have contracted a spiritual affinity 
with those whom they stood for at the font of regeneration ; 
they should not act again as Sponsors to the same ones in Con- 
firmation. For here, too, the Sponsors enter into a sacred 
relationship with those who are confirmed and their parents, 
which forbids a lawful marriage between them except in case 
of a special dispensation. ^ 

Question 28, What about the number of Sponsors ? 

Answer, There should be one Sponsor for each candidate 
of Confirmation. The Sponsors must be of the same sex as the 
candidates for whom they stand. When it is altogether impos- 
sible for the candidates to have each his own Sponsor, at least 
two men shall act as Sponsors for the boys and two women as 
Sponsors for the girls. ^ 

If it be asked yN\iy only one Sponsor be allowed in Confirma- 
tion, when in Baptism there may be two, one male and one 
female, the answer is given by the different nature of these 
sacraments. Baptism is a new, a spiritual birth, and as the 
care of the natural life of a child rests equally on his father and 
mother, so the care of his spiritual life may, when necessary, 
devolve upon a spiritual father and mother, his godfather and 
godmother. By Confirmation, however, the Christian is made 
a soldier, a fighter, a gladiator for Christ, and to teach him the 
skill of attack and of defence, one master or instructor will 
suffice.^ 



J Catech. of Trent, p. ii. On Confirm., n. 12. 2 Cone, Bait. PI. ii., 
n. 253. 3 Catech. of Trent, 1. c. 



72 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

Question 2g, What are the duties of the Sponsors during 
Confirmation P 

Answer, i. They should present the candidates to the 
Bishop ; and hence accompany their godchildren to the altar. 
2. While the candidate is being confirmed they should place 
their right hand upon his right shoulder, standing immediately 
behind him. 

The Sponsors, with their chosen wards, should be properly 
attired, and be present at the beginning of the sacred rite at a 
convenient place in the church, and hold themselves in readi- 
ness to accompany them before the Bishop. They are to be 
witnesses, so that they may recall to their minds this solemn 
consecration in the Holy Ghost, whenever an occasion presents 
itself to exercise this sacred duty towards their spiritual children. 
By placing the hand upon the candidate's shoulder during the 
sacred act, they vouch, as far as lies in their power, for his 
future fidelity and steadfastness. 

It is the common custom now that one of the assisting 
clergymen, not the Sponsors, present the names of the candi- 
dates to the Bishop. 

Question jo. What are the duties of the -Sponsors after Con- 
firmation ? 

Answer, i. The Sponsors should often pray for their spir- 
itual children, and, if possible, have the holy sacrifice offered 
up for them. 

2. They should watch over them that they continue to ful- 
fill the duties of a loyal soldier of Christ. 

3. They should earnestly exhort them against dangerous 
alliances, and put them on their guard against contracting sin- 
ful habits, whenever parents fail in this duty. 

1st. How many are the reasons that urge us to pray for 
one another ! How frequently do the Apostles beseech the 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 73 

Christians of their day to remember them in their supplica- 
tions, as they also did for those whom they gained for Christ I 
"Making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceas- 
ing/' * '• I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, and by the charity of the Holy Ghost, that you 
help me in your prayers for me to God/' ^ "Always solicit- 
ous for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and full in 
all the will of God/' ^ "We . . . cease not to pray for you, 
and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of His 
will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding/' * With even 
greater force may we apply these urgent admonitions to them 
who have assumed the sacred obligations of Sponsors in Con- 
firmation, in order that those who have been anointed, build- 
ing themselves upon their most holy faith, and praying ir> the 
Holy Ghost, may also keep themselves in the love of God, 
waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto life ever- 
lasting. ^ 

2d. The Lord "gave to every one of them commandment 
concerning his neighbor/'^ Likewise the Sponsors are com- 
manded in regard to them with whom they have been allied 
by a close spiritual tie ; wherefore St. Augustine says : "They 
should admonish their spiritual children to keep chastity, to 
love justice, to preserve charity, and never allow their clients to 
desert the faith." 

3d. More especially, however, when parents — which God 
forbid — are criminally derelict in the exercise of duties sanc- 
tioned by the natural and divine law, or allow their children to 
drift away from the sacred bonds in the Holy Ghost, it is then 
that Sponsors should exert to the utmost the spiritual authority 
vested in them. How fruitful may not their ministry prove, 
when their wards are in danger of being drawn into the torrent 
of unbelief and immorality ! Then a firm but paternal advice 

' I I'hess. i. 2. 2 Rom. xv. 30. 3 Col. iv. 12. ^ lb. i. 9. -^ Jude i. 
20, 21. 6 Eccli. xvii. 12. 



74 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

ill season may avert the impending danger. What a meritori- 
ous office, even should they fail of success ! The words of 
the Apostle would fully apply to them : *^ He who causeth a 
sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save 
his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. "^ 

§ 21. DUTIES OF PARENTS BEFORE AND AFTER CONFIRMATION. 

Question jl. What are the duties of parents whose children are 
to be confirmed ? 

Answer. The duties of these parents are urgent and im- 
portant both before and after Confirmation. 

1. They should not neglect to have their children receive 
this sacrament soon after first holy Communion. 

2. They must send them regularly to the preparatory in- 
structions, and especially to the catechism class on Sundays 
and holy days. 

3. They should assist their children some time before re- 
ceiving Confirmation, in order to make a good confession, and 
afford them leisure from other work and occupations, so that 
they may prepare their hearts by works of piety and other de- 
votional exercises for the coming of the Holy Ghost. 

4. After Confirmation they must insist that these children 
receive the sacraments of Penance and of the Holy Eucharist 
frequently to preserve the gifts of the Holy Ghost. 

ist. When Holy Church, like a tender mother, provides for 
the spiritual welfare of her children, and enjoins upon the pas- 
tors to use all diligence in preparing them for the grace of Con 
firmation, both by instruction of the mind and piety of heart, ^ 
it follows that parents would sin grievously if, through their 
negligence or supineness, their children would be deprived of 
the grace of this sacrament. 

They must therefore neither be guilty of undue haste to 



' James v. 20. 2 Catech. of Trent, 1. c, n. 20. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 7 5 

have ihem confirmed without becoming disposilions^ nor of 
criminal delay when the children are of age and need Xh(t special 
fortifying grace of Confirmation, particularly in these evil 
times, when faith and morals are exposed to so many and violent 
temptations. Would it not be wanton and reckless to neglect 
the divine gifts which God in His goodness instituted for our 
sanctification ? The type of a perfect Christian regenerated in 
Baptism, should be completed by this sacrament of mystical 
unction: such is the ardent wish of our common Mother, the 
Church. ^ 

2d. How much the future life of a child depends upon a 
thorough and sound instruction in youth, needs no further 
proof. Holy Writ inculcates it almost on every page. ''In- 
struct thy son and he shall refresh thee, and shall give delight 
to thy soul. " "^ Nothing can excuse parents from withholding 
religious instruction from their children. ''There is a time 
and opportunity for every business, " says Ecclesiastes. ^ "■ Hast 
thou children } Instruct them, and bow^ their neck from their 
childhood."* "Fathers, bring up your children in the disci- 
pline and correction of the Lord," says the Apostle.^ 

Parents that are confirmed know by experience how many 
obstacles present themselves to man in the discharge of his 
Christian duties. Yet, if they have enjoyed the fruits of a good 
Christian training in youth, they understand how well it is 
said : " Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, ''^ 

3d. An essential condition towards receiving the great grace 
of Confirmation consists in expelling sin and vice from the 
heart ; in removing the signs of spiritual death by driving away 
Satan with his evil influences, so that the Holy Ghost may dwell 
in the souls of the children, as in His holy temple. What a 
wholesome influence should not conscientious parents exert 
over their children in this respect ! If the sacrament does not 

1 Catech. of Trent, n. 14. 2 Prov. xxix. 17. 3 viii. 6. -* Eccli. vii. 25. 
^ Ephes. vi. 4. 6 Eccles. xii. i. 



76 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

produce those precious fruits which the Holy Ghost is ready to 
pour forth into these young, tender hearts, or if these sacra- 
mental graces remain barren and devoid of effect, where must we 
search for the cause ? Parents should offer ample opportunity 
and time for this important affair, that their hearts be cleansed 
by penance ; they should exhort them to pious exercises that 
the Holy Ghost may descend into their souls with the fulness 
of His gifts. 

4th. The sacred duty of watching over their children, and 
of exercising parental authority with all patience and prudence, 
does not cease with Confirmation. The same means that purify 
the soul, must also keep from the youthful hearts, enriched with 
the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the poison of sin, so that the cor- 
ruption of the flesh, the pride of this world and the vanity of 
pleasures will not extinguish in them the love of God. Where- 
fore St. Paul admonishes his beloved disciple Timothy, Bishop of 
Ephesus, to stir up the grace of God ''which is in thee/'^ He 
was a holy Bishop ; he had indeed not lost the grace of God ; 
nevertheless, he is cautioned to be on his guard. ''For we 
have this treasure in earthen vessels f ^ that is to say, we are 
liable to lose the graces of the Holy Spirit. Parents will not 
have discharged their /ull duty if they exercise not that vigil- 
ance after Confirmation, in order that their children fortify 
themselves against powerful and wily enemies by prayer, by 
hearing the Word of God, and by approaching frequently to the 
divine banquet prepared for them by the good Shepherd and 
Bishop of their souls. ^ 



1 2 Tim. i. 6. 2 2 Cor. iv. 7. 3 I Petr. ii. 25. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE, 77 

CHAPTER VIII. 

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE CONFIRMED. 

§ 22 . ON THE DAY OF CONFIRMATION. 

Question J2. What a7'e the duties of the confirmed P 
Answer. Those who have been confirmed should — 

1. Humbly thank God the Holy Ghost for the graces be- 
stowed upon their soul ; renew their holy resolutions ; and 
spend the day of Confirmation in a godly manner. 

2. Incline the heart to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit 
by awakening the sentiments of fidelity to the Holy Ghost, of 
firmness in faith, of purity of life, and of loyal allegiance in the 
service of Christ. 

3. Celebrate the anniversary day of Confirmation. 

1st. Thanksgiving and Resolutions. 

St. Paul asks all to give ''thanks always for all things, in 
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father."^ 
Repeat with the Psalmist : ''What shall I render to the Lord, 
for all the things that He hath rendered to me? '"^ 

Accordingly we are called upon to give thanks for all favors, 
however small ; but the work of the Holy Spirit in the soul, 
sealed in this sacrament on this day, how great and ineffable it 
is ! Therefore, how should our hearts beat in grateful recollec- 
tion ! " Every grace, '' says St. Augustine, "is a gift of God; 
but the greatest is the Holy Ghost." Now God hath sent the 
Spirit of His Son into your hearts^ not because of any merit of 
your own, but solely for Christ's sake ; through His suffering 



Ephes. V. 20. 2 Ps, cxv. 3. 



j^ MANUAL OF COXFIRMATIOK 

and death He has procured it ; for by reason of our sins and 
transgressions we are not worthy of so signal a favor. Therefore, 
he w^ho is not grateful but '' despiseih these things, despiseth not 
man but God: who also hath given His Holy Spirit in us. ''^ The 
Apostle's advice to his beloved disciple holds good for those 
who have been confirmed : '' Keep the good thing committed 
to thy trust by the Holy Ghost, who dwelleth in us."^ 

Animated by such thoughts, we can in a truly humble 
heart exclaim with the blessed Virgin Mother, when the Holy 
Ghost overshadowed her : '* My soul doth magnify the Lord, and 
my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. . . . Because He 
that is mighty hath done great things to me ; and holy is His 
name. "^ Do not confine yourself to thanking God on one day 
only, but follow the example of the saints ; like Tobias, who 
* ^ continued immovable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God 
all the days of his life. '' * 

2d, Godly Observance of the Day, 

It is your sacred duty to spend the day of Confirmation in 
a godly manner, and to be careful not to grieve the Holy 
Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed.^ You must look upon 
this day as one of the brightest of your life. By holy Commu- 
nion Jesus enters in your soul : in Confirmation the Holy 
Ghost descends into your soul, consecrating it as His temple. 
When so august a Guest comes to you, you must avoid every- 
thing that can displease Him. The most precious balm loses 
its sweet odor if the vessel in wiiich it is kept is not closed. 
Likew^ise the spiritual odor of the holy chrism in your soul will 
soon vanish if you are not careful on that day, and suffer 
proud, sensual or unchaste thoughts and desires to contami- 
nate your heart. Do not give yourself to levity and dissipation ; 



1 I Thess. iv. 8. 22 Tim. i. 14. 3 Luke i. 46, 47, 49. ^ Tobias ii. 14. 
s Ephes. IV. 30. 



CA THOL TC DOCTRINE. 79 

for thereby the sweet odor of grace, and the fire of love en- 
kindled by the same Holy Spirit, will be in danger of being 
extinguished. The zeal and fervor of the confirmed must 
not be confined to this day only. To correspond with the sacred 
character imprinted on your soul all your days unto death, is 
the object our Saviour had in view when He instituted this 
sacrament. 

§ 23. DUTIES AFTER CONFIRMATION. 

1st. Fidelity toward the Holy Ghost. 

To be faithful to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost is a 
most important condition of victory in the battle against the 
enemies of your salvation. To relax in this point would entail 
severe losses, and inflict wounds upon the soul. The Apostles 
themselves, after having received the Holy Ghost, could by no 
means neglect these inspirations or forego His continual guid- 
ance, for they had to face many dangers, undergo many hard- 
ships, and finally tortures, nay, cruel death. It was the same 
Holy Ghost who strengthened them and gave them that un- 
speakable joy and consolation in all tribulations. It was He 
who upheld them in their severe labors and dreadful persecu- 
tions, which caused St. Paul to declare : ^'By the grace of God 
I am what I am ; and His grace in me hath not been void, but 
I have labored more abundantly than all they ; yet not I, but 
the grace of God with me. "' ^ 

If we place no obstacles the Holy Ghost will ever exercise His 
power and gentle sway. '' Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our 
infirmity : for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, 
but the Spirit himself asketh for us. ''^ In every earnest efibrt 
on our part the Holy Spirit will be near us, as He comforted 
St. Paul, saying to him : '' My grace is sufficient for thee : for 
power is made perfect in infirmity.'' ^ 



I CcQ-. XV. 10. 2 Rom, viii. 26. "^ 2 Cor. xii. 9. 



8o MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

Abandoning yourself to His guidance, you will advance 
from step to step and reap the fruits of this Holy Spirit, charity, 
joy, patience^ benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, 
modesty, continency, chastity. Be therefore attentive to His voice, 
listen to His suggestions; for then, St. Paul says, *'The 
Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the 
sons of God. And if sons, heirs also : heirs indeed of God, and 
joint-heirs with Christ.'*^ 

To co-operate with the Holy Spirit is essential to final tri- 
umph. *' Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ''^ ''Fight 
the good fight of faith ; lay hold on eternal life whereunto 
thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before 
many witnesses.''^ Witnesses of your profession of faith are 
your Bishop, who anointed you on the forehead ; your pastor, 
who prepared you for the coming of the Holy Spirit ; your 
teachers, who instructed you so diligently ; }Our sponsors, who 
vouched for your fidelity; your good parents, who rejoiced be- 
fore God because of your new dignity ; — nay, your guardian 
angels, who always behold the face of their Father, witnessed 
your vows of fidelity to the Holy Ghost to cling to the standard 
of the Lord Jesus. The strife of life will not cease, the enemies 
will not sleep, and therefore your zeal and courage must never 
abate. Your faith, your Church with her priesthood, your 
fidelity, will be continually exposed to the attacks of unbelievers, 
to the mockery of the ungodly. The presence and action of 
God's Holy Spirit should ever abide in the souls of those who 
have been confirmed. It is well to bear in mind what the 
Apostle writes : '' If you be reproached for the name of Christ, 
you shall be blessed ; for that which is of the honor, glory and 
power of God, and that which is His Spirit, resteth upon you.''* 
If one of you suifer '' as a Christian, let him not be ashamed : 
but let him glorify God in this name."^ 

1 Rom. viii. i6 f. 22 Tim. ii. 3. ^ i Tim. vi. 12. -^ i Petr. iv. 14. 
o lb. iv. 16. 



CATHOLIC DOCTRINE, 8 1 

2d, Steadfastness in Faith, 

It is written in praise of the early Christians that " they 
were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles." ^ 

*•' Without faith it is impossible to please God."* But faith 
consists not in the mere speculative knowledge of revealed truth ; 
it is not purely a submission of the understanding, but it is a 
virtue infused by God into our soul which urges the will also to 
submission in conformity with the teachings of faith. ''What 
shall it profit, my brethren," says the Apostle, '' if a man say 
he hath faith, but hath not works ? Shall faith be able to save 
him ? . . . Seest thou that faith did co-operate with his (Abra- 
ham) works : and by works faith was made perfect. . . . For 
even as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without 
works is dead." ^ 

In order to profess your faith by word and deed, you have 
been strengthened by the Holy Ghost. It is therefore incum- 
bent on you to grow in the knowledge of the faith ; to this end 
you must delight to hear the Word of God as it is expounded by 
His preachers duly ordained and empowered to teach all nations. 
"He that is of God, heareth the words of God."* To be 
steadfast in the profession of our belief is the strict duty of 
a Christian soldier confirmed in the Sacrament of the Holy 
Ghost. "- 1 say unto you : whosoever shall confess Me before 
men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels 
of God." ^ To do otherwise, i. e., to deny the faith that is in 
us, would be sinning against the Holy Ghost. No consideration 
whatever can absolve us from this sacred duty, or allow us to 
connive at or enter into any compromise w^ith maxims or 
teachings contrary to Catholic belief '' Take heed, lest being 
led aside by the error of the unwise, you fall from your 
own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of 



1 Acts ii. 42. 2 Heb. xi. 6. 3 Jas. ii. 14, 22, 26. 4 John viii. 47. 
' Luke xii. 8. 



82 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."^ That we may not be 
iossed ab-j^ by eve?y wind of doctrine^ we must be guided by the 
unerring authority in Christ's Church, which is the pUlar and 
ground of the iriith.^ As children of this holy Church which is 
ruled by the Holy Ghost,* we must receive from her this precious 
deposit of faith ; only in her communion shall we remain firm 
and unshaken as anointed champions 2iXidi fearless defenders of the 
great truths of divine revelation. 

jd. Purify of Life. 
The Sacraments of the new Law are instituted for a twofold 
purpose, namely : ist, as a remedy against sin ; 2d, to perfect the 
soul in those things which pertain to the worship of God accord- 
ing to the rule of Christian life/ In Confirmation the soul is 
signed with the mark of eternal predestination, and hence 
receives the livery of the Holy Ghost in the militia of Christ, to 
guard the priceless gift of purity of soul against the venomous 
stings of lust and concupiscence. '^Know you not that you 
are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in 
you V ^ "Or know you not, that your members are the temple 
of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God, 
and you are not your own } For you are bought with a great 
price. Glorify and bear God in your body. " ' 

Inasmuch as by Confirmation the Holy Ghost consecrates our 
souls, we must keep them free from all defilement. We cannot 
give admission therein to the spirit of darkness. ''But if any 
man violate the temple of God, him shall God destroy. For 
the temple of God is holy, which you are." ® In a temple, the 
sweet incense of prayer and sacrifice rises upward to the throne 
of God. The soul is, in the fullest sense, the living temple of 
God, not made of stone or other perishable material, but by 



' 2 Petr. ill. 17, 18. 2 Ephes. iv. 14. ^ i Tim. iii. 15. ^ Acts xx. 28. 
^ Sum. Theol., p. iii. q. 63, art. I. ^ i Cor. iii. 16. ^ Jb. vi. 19, 20. 
Mb. iii. 17. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. S 3 

the Holy Ghost ; whence too, our supplications and offerings 
ought to ascend to the throne of the Almighty, Lord of heaven 
and earth. Where the Holy Spirit dwells in the soul, the foul 
vapors of sin must vanish. From this inward source will issue 
forth that sweet flower of divine faith, purity of life. 

4ih, Christian Loyalty, Its Qualities. 

In Confirmation ''you were signed with the Holy Spirit " ^ 
and by that very sign you received the sacred character of a sol- 
dier of Christ. But a soldier must take the oath of allegiance 
and follow the standard of his king and chief. 

''The life of man on earth is a warfare/' says Job.^ When 
we receive the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit, we take upon our- 
selves all the duties of a loyal soldier. The first duty of a 
good soldier is Fidelity. 

a). But what does fidelity imply t Surely nothing less than 
the constant tendency to devote himself with all the powers of 
soul and body to the service of his Supreme Lord and Master. 
Having once put on the livery of his King, the soldier must 
fight the battles, even though he sacrifice his very life on the 
field of action. It is a solemn pact entered upon between the 
Holy Ghost and the soul. "Be steadfast in thy covenant."^ 
The Apostle speaks to the point : "My beloved brethren, be ye 
steadfast and immovable : always abounding in the work of 
the Lord."* "Be thou faithful,'' says the angel of the Church of 
Smyrna.^ You will keep this fidelity as long as you guard 
yourself against the snares of the enemy, and do not surrender 
yourself to works of darkness. Rise in the morning with a holy 
resolve to be faithful during the day, and ask for help from 
above. For " God is faithful, who will strengthen and keep 
vou from evil/'® 



I I Cor. i. 13. 2 vii. i. 3 Eccli. xi. 21. ^ \ Cor. xv. 58. ^ Apoc. ii. 
10. 6 2 Thess. iii. 3. 



84 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

This fidelity of a soldier of Christ knows of no distinction 
between small and great things. The whole life of man, if you 
will, is composed of many small duties and functions, but taken 
together they constitute the total — the sum of perfection. The 
saying, ''Who makes litde of small things will by-and-by fail 
in greater ones," is verified also in the life of a Christian. The 
Lord says : '' He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful 
also in that which is greater. " ^ Any and all success depends 
on the faithful adherence to duty. The loyal Christian soldier 
only can exclaim in the embrace of death : ''I have fought a 
good fight, I have kept the faith. ''^ 

h). Bravery is the second quality of a good soldier. It is a 
most indispensable virtue in face of the enemy. When the soldier 
meets an equal foe with undaunted courage, and wavers not in 
the critical moment, then we may call him brave. The Chris- 
tian has three formidable enemies to contend wdth, namely, the 
flesh, the zvorld and Satan. ''Every man is tempted by his own 
concupiscence, being drawn away and allured."^ "Whatso- 
ever is born of God, overcometh the world, ''^ " Put you on the 
armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the de- 
ceits of the devil," says the Apostle.^ In order to overcome 
these cunning and ever-watchful adversaries, it needs bravery 
which relents not. St. Peter calls upon us to be w^atchful and 
brave : "Because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, 
goeth about seeking whom he may devour ; whom resist ye, 
strong in faith. " ^ Only he who fights bravely with resolute will, 
can hope to be crowned. "Blessed is the man that endureth 
temptation ; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the 
crown of life which God hath promised to them that love Him. " "' 
The brave Christian will resist at the first onset ; he will not 
parley with temptation ; he will resist with unflinching courage 
without relaxing, that is to say, v/ith perseverance io the end, 

1 Luke xvi. lo ^2 Tim. iv. 7. ^ Jas. i. 14. 4 j John v. 4. ^ Ephes, 
vi. II. ♦^ I Petr. ii. 8 f. " Jas. i. 12. 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 8 5 

Therein shall we recognize genuine braver}^ that must charac- 
terize the anointed of the Holy Ghost. 

c). Generosity, which means the spirit of sacrifice, is the third 
quality of a true soldier. What great fatigues, how many pri- 
vations, what wearisome marches await the soldier ! Likewise 
the Christian has, in a higher sense and to a greater degree, an 
arduous road before him. Our great Master Himself points 
at it : *'How narrow is the gate, and strait is the w^ay that 
leadeth to life. " ^ Great efforts and exertions are required : 
'*The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent 
bear it away"^ Burdensome labors must be undertaken: 
''Whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after Me, can- 
not be My disciple."^ We must be ready to part with what is 
most dear to our natural inclinations, rather than to yield to the 
enemies of our soul and of our God. * Behold what the Apostles 
and disciples of Christ were when they fled, abandoned and 
denied their Master in the hour of trial. No sooner, however, 
were they endued with the Holy Ghost, than they were ready to 
sacrifice everything, to suffer the loss of all things, that they 
might gain Christ.^ What an admirable effect of this grace, of 
which the Apostles gloried, and of which all who have been 
strengthened by the Holy Ghost in His Sacrament, are in like 
manner inspired to the same sacrifices, with a generosity of heart 
in the grand cause and service of the King of Kings ! 

St. Jerome, in a letter to his friend Heliodorus, says as fol- 
lows : *'In these sacraments, that is. Baptism and Confirma- 
tion, you were made a soldier of Jesus Christ. What have you 
done to this day that corresponds wuth this calling.? Where are 
the trenches you have made to the discomfiture of your 
enemies t Where are the breastworks you have built up against 
their arrows ? How many winters have you been in the field ? 
What are the hardships you endured ? The ringing war-trumpet 

1 Matt. vii. 14. 2 lb. xi. 12. 3 Lukexiv. 27. -* Markix. 42. ^ Philipp. 
iii. 8. 



86 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

sounds from Heaven above. The great King, clad in full armor, 
advances to give battle to the whole world. How will you step 
out of your voluptuous repose to battle? His double-edged 
sword will mow down in its passage everything opposed to Him. 
How will you venture out of the shade into the heat of combat .^ 
How will that body so slender bear the weight of the armor } 
Will those hands, now so idle, be able to take up severe and 
arduous labors 1 ' No one is crowned, except he strive law- 
fully.'" 

Such are then the qualities of a good soldier ; such also the 
duties of a loyal Christian, which he has vowed to fulfill. That 
is the glorious character with which the Holy Ghost invested the 
soul in the great Sacrament of Confirmation. 

§ 24. THE ANNIVERSARY DAY OF CONFIRMATION. 

To celebrate the anniversary day of Confirmation, in order 
to keep alive, as it were, the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, 
is strongly recommended by the illustrious St. Charles Borromeo. 
** All should," are his words, '* celebrate the anniversary of the 
day on which they were confirmed, by works of piety and by 
devout prayer, and go to confession and communion, to thank 
God the most merciful for the graces bestowed upon them in this 
sacrament." The greater the gift which you receive, the greater 
and more enduring must the grateful recollection be. You 
are reminded of the grace of first holy Communion as often as 
you come to the holy table. Is the extraordinary grace of the 
Holy Ghost in His special sacrament not worthy to be frequently 
remembered and to be stirred up in your soul.^ In holy Com- 
munion, you receive Jesus the God-man ; in Confirmation, the 
Holy Ghost, who is equal to the Father and Son, descends 
upon you. If then Jesus Christ has vouchsafed to us so precious 
a gift, i. e., the Holy Spirit Himself, should we not by loving 
gratitude be prompted to celebrate this event in our Christian 



CA THOLIC DOCTRINE. 87 

iife each year on the anniversary day, or on the Sunday or holy 
day next to it, or perhaps on the very feast of Pentecost ? 

But, may we ask, in what should the exercises of this anni- 
versary of your Confirmation consist? 

I St. Recall to mind the great dignity to which you have been 
elevated, and the precious gifts which you have received, by this 
sacrament. You can easily do this by reading over carefully 
and attentively what has been said in this Manual on the 
nature and effects of holy Confirmation. ^ 

2d. Examine yourself whether you have been hitherto a 
faithful soldier of Christ in the struggle, or whether you have 
gone over to the enemy, and therefore received the grace of the 
Holy Ghost in vain. Should — which God forbid — ^}^our con- 
science bear witness to your treachery, i. e. , that you have 
grieved the Holy Spirit, wherein you were sealed, by neglect of 
prayer, carelessness in receiving the Sacraments of Penance and 
of the Holy Eucharist, by profanation of the Lord's Day, by 
intemperance or other dissolute habits, oh, then, how salutary 
will this recollection prove itself if you return at once with a 
contrite heart and wipe out your iniquity by a good confession ! 
To you then the Apostle addresses himself: ^ ' Let us cleanse 
ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, 
perfecting sanctification in the fear of God.''^ 

3d. Enkindle anew the fire of love, that the grace of the Holy 
Ghost may be resuscitated in your soul, to be filled with His 
gifts ; to illuminate the understanding with the knowledge of 
truth, to cleanse the heart from every stain of sin, to inspire the 
will with a ready obedience, to fill the imagination with super- 
natural longings. The Apostle encourages you to this : ^'The 
God of hope fill you w^ith all joy and peace in believing ; that 
you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost." ■ 

1 Pgg. II ft ; 25 ff. 22 Cor. vii, i. 3 Rom. xv. 13. 



PART II. 



Various Devotions 



PART II. 



DEVOTIONS TO THE HOLY GHOST. 



INTRODUCTION. 

There are some devotions in the Church of God so obvious, 
that they need no recommendation to faithful CathoHcs. For 
instance, devotions to the Sacred Humanity, whether under the 
shape of the Sacred Heart, or the Five Wounds, or the Precious 
Blood, appeal so directly to our feelings as to call forth at once 
not only our veneration, but also our love. Again, the Blessed 
Virgin is so clearly beautiful and lovely, appearing as she does as 
the Mother of Jesus and our own, that no words are necessary 
to make us devout to her. And, doubtless, God meant that 
it should be so, from the very fact that He draws us to Himself 
'Svith the cords of Adam," that is, by means of all the affec- 
tions and feelings of our human nature. At the same time there 
are other mysteries of our faith, which, though not on the sur- 
face so affectionate as those connected with the Sacred Manhood 
of our Lord, yet do not less in their own way call for our love ; 
and the principal amongst them are those connected with the 
Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. Itisdevotion to the Holy 
Ghost which it is the aim of this book to recommend, and a few 
words upon it may be of use to the faithful. 

I. The Holy Spirit is most obviously an object of faith for all 
Christians ; but it may bethought that our love for Him as God 
can never be of that tender and affectionate kind which is ne- 
cessary to make Him an object of popular devotion. How can 
we, unless we be theologians or saints, fix upon a being so mys- 



92 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

terious, so immeasurably beyond our understanding, a love, 
in any respect, the same as that which we feel for the Eternal 
Word, who as a Man has livedo suifered and died? We may 
love Him above all things as God, with that love which divines 
call appreciative ; that is, a love which would prompt us to 
give up all things for Him, if He called on us to do so : but 
devotion, to be popular, requires more than this. It must have 
for its term a being whose nature is so far within the compre- 
hension of the minds of the generality, that they can take it in 
without an effort. If this were true, it would be plain that the 
Holy Spirit never can be such. But, on the contrary, is it not 
the very characteristic of Catholic faith, that the love which 
springs from it goes far beyond the understanding? Of earthly 
objects, indeed, it is true that we cannot love them, unless they 
are within the grasp of our minds. But faith is a gift which 
comes from God, and by virtue of it the simple and ignorant, 
if only they are good Christians, may have profounder thoughts 
and stronger love than even theologians and learned men. 
They cannot express in words what they feel, but they can have, 
feelings deeper than words. God has so constituted the Christ- 
ian heart that the mysteries w^hich concern His own being should 
find their way to it, even though we cannot understand them. 
They are like the sights and sounds of nature, which affect and 
move us, we cannot tell why. They are like the tones of music, 
which soothe our hearts or rouse us to enthusiasm, though the 
laws which guide their harmony are utterly beyond us. 

2. It does not follow then that, because the Procession of 
the Holy Ghost from, and His consubstantiality with, the Father 
and the Son are deep mysteries beyond our comprehension, we 
cannot love them or make them objects of our devotion. But 
furthermore, incomprehensible as these mysteries are, they en- 
able us in a wonderful way to understand far more about God 
than we otherwise should. What, for instance, is more astound- 
ing to the imagination than to be told that God has already 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 93 

lived an eternity of dread and silent solitude, without beginning 
or origin ? But when we are told that God the Father, in that 
wonderful existence, could reflect on His own perfections — 
that the Eternal Word was the offspring of His thought, and 
that the Holy Spirit was the breath of Their mutual love, it seems 
as though that everlasting life of God was more easy for us to 
understand. How great was the Father, the very Word of whose 
inmost Mind was God — not another God, but One with Him- 
self! Does it not seem as though we could understand that 
they were two Persons, since they could love one another? and 
how boundless was their affection, when the very sigh breathed 
forth from the Father to the Son, and returned to Him again, 
was a Divine Person equal to each and both ! And then, again, 
how perfectly One were they, since both together were but one 
Fountain of the Holy Spirit, for that mighty Love comes but 
from one Will as though from one heart. In one word, it seems 
as though we could understand something of the working of 
that eternal life of God, when we know that the Holy Spirit is 
the everlasting Joy, which springs from the Will of the Father 
and the Son, as they gaze with love on one another, filling the 
boundless Heart of God with an untold beatitude. 

3. Mysterious then as are the views which faith gives us of these 
mysteries, it is plain, from what has been said, that we can have 
a devotion to them, because God has been pleased to show Him- 
self to us as a being who has something within Him like our 
own thoughts and affections. But how much more is this true 
when we come to consider the way in which this great God has 
bowed Himself down to us. All these great truths, which are 
far above us, become familiar, and, as it were, household objects 
to us, when we know that the whole scheme of our Redemption 
is based upon them. This will be clear to us, if we imagine to 
ourselves (what unhappily is but too true) any one denying that 
there are Three Persons in the Godhead. What an immediate 
eflfectit would have, not only on our faith, but upon our prayers, 



94 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

and our whole devotions ! If Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are 
but mere names, then all those beautiful truths about the Father 
sending His Only-begotten Son at once become an unreality 
and a dream ; and if the Holy Ghost be only an influence, and 
not a Person, how it takes away from the love of our Lord, when 
He promised to send down the Paraclete from on high ! Again, 
to deny, as the Greeks do, that the Holy Ghost proceeds from 
the Son as well as the Father, seems to be an error, which little 
interests us ; but when we reflect that, if it be so, then our Lord 
can only be like a channel through which that Blessed Spirit 
passes, and not the One Fountain with the Father from which 
He springs, and consequently can have no power to send Him 
down to us, then wx see that it is a question which regards the 
glory of Jesus, and His influence over our salvation.^ 

4. Lastly, if we look at what the Holy Spirit actually does with- 
in us, the whole of His action upon our hearts calls forth the 
deepest feelings of love and gratitude, and all that is included 
in the word devotion. And yet all this has its roots in His eter- 
nal and mysterious being. If the effect of His dwelling within 
us is to deify us and to make us, in a new and great sense, the 
image of God, it must be because He is God Himself. ''Apart 
from the Spirit,'' says the great St.Athanasius, ''we are strange 
and distant from God, and by the participation of the Spirit we 
are knit into the Godhead.'' And it is from this power of uni- 
versal sanctification that St. Basil, a kindred Saint, infers the 
Godhead of the Holy Spirit. ' ' Seek not then amongst creatures 
Him who is above all creation ; lest thou bring down Him 
who sanctifies amongst those who are sanctified. This Spirit it 
is who fills Angels and Archangels, gives holiness to the Powers, 
and life to all together. He gives His grace to all creatures, but 
is not absorbed into those who share in it ; all who receive 
Flim are filled, and yet there is nothing w^anting. As the sun 

1 In theological language the Mission of the second and third Persons 
of the Holy Trinity follows the order of their Procession. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 95 

shines on all bodies, and is in various degrees shared by all, yet 
is no way lessened by them, so too the Spirit gives out grace 
from Himself to all, yet remains undiminished and undivided." 
Again, if He gives us sanctity and purifies our unclean hearts, it 
is because from all eternity He has been the Holy Spirit, the 
pure and spotless Love of the Father and the Son. He makes 
us long after heaven, and lifts up our desires away from the joys 
of earth, because He is the everlasting Joy of the bosom of the 
Father and the Son. Jesus calls Him the Gift of God ; and 
this is the name which is appropriated to Him, because a gift is 
the outward sign of charity, and He, of all the Persons of the 
Holy Trinity, is the one who, from everlasting, was called the 
Love of God. Lastly, it is surely fitting to have a devotion to 
Him, through whom alone we can say ''the Lord Jesus," and 
who is consequently the Author of all devotion. Who pene- 
trates so deeply into our hearts as He whose gracious gifts are 
the very nerves and sinews of our supernatural actions .^^ Who 
mingles so closely with our best affections as He whose blessed 
fruits are charity, joy, peace, and all that forms the real happiness 
of life.? 

To Him, with the Father and the Son, be all devotion, 
honor, and glory, from all His creatures, forever and ever. 
Amen. 



L 

MORNING PRAYERS. 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. 
Amen. 

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle 
in them the fire of Thy love. 



96 MANUAL OF COkFIRMATIOiSr, 

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and Thou 
shalt renew the face of the earth. 

Let us Pray. 
O God, who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the 
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have 
a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His 
consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Act of Faith. 
O Divine Spirit ! I firmly believe that Thou art here present, 
and perfectly seest me, and observest all my actions, all my 
thoughts, and the most secret motions of my heart. I acknow- 
ledge that I am not worthy to come into Thy presence, nor to 
lift up my eyes unto Thee, because I have so often sinned 
against Thee. But Thy goodness and mercy invite me to come 
unto Thee. Assist me, therefore, O Holy Spirit, and teach me 
to pray to Thee as I ought. 

Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving. 
O eternal God ! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost : the begin- 
ning and end of all things ; in whom we live, and move, and 
have our being. Prostrate before Thee in body and soul, I 
adore Thee with the most profound humility. I praise and bless 
Thee, and give Thee thanks for all the benefits which Thou 
hast conferred upon me ; that Thou hast created me out of 
nothing, made me after Thy own image and likeness, redeemed 
me w^ith the precious blood of Thy Son, and sanctified me 
with Thy Holy Spirit. I thank Thee that Thou hast called me 
into Thy Church, assisted me by Thy grace, and so often admit- 
ted me to Thy sacraments. Particularly this morning, I thank 
Thee for having preserved me during the past night, and for 
bringing me in safety to the beginning of another day. O my 
God, how good Thou art unto me ! What return can I make 
unto Thee for all that Thou hast done unto me .^ I will bless 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 97 

Thy holy name, and serve Thee truly all the days of my life. 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me praise 
His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all 
that He hath done for thee. Amen. 

Act of Contrition, 

my God, how little have I served Thee in time past ! 
how greatly have I sinned against Thee ! I acknowledge my in- 
iquity, and my sin is always before me. But I repent, O Lord, 
I repent ! I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I detest 
all the sins which I have committed against Thy divine Majesty. 
I resolve never more to displease Thee, because Thou art so in- 
finitely good and merciful. I now desire to love Thee from 
my whole heart. Assist me, O Divine Spirit, with Thy mighty 
grace, to serve Thee for time and eternity. Amen. 

Act 0/ Oblation. 

1 offer Thee, O Holy Spirit, all my thoughts, words, deeds, 
all my affections in union with the merits of my dearest Sav- 
iour Jesus Christ. Under Thy guidance I earnestly wish to do 
Thy holy will, that I may love and enjoy Thee forever in Thy 
glory. Amen. 

Act 0/ Petition. 

O most Holy Spirit ! enlighten my understanding with a 
lively faith, strengthen my will with a firm hope, enkindle in 
my heart an ardent charity. Vouchsafe to cure the corruption 
of my will, come to succor my weakness, that I may conquer 
the enemies of my soul, and grant me to triumph over them 
unto death. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. I believe in God^ etc. 

Invocation for Blessing, 
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, descend upon me, and dwell in my heart forever. Amen, 



98 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

11. 

EVENING PRAYERS. 

( Act of Praise and Adoration. 

O thrice Holy, Divine Spirit ! Thou fillest heaven and earth 
with Thy Majesty. I now, prostrate before Thee, bow down all 
the powers of my soul. I adore and praise Thee for all Thine 
admirable gifts^ vouchsafed to me, a miserable creature, by the 
goodness of the Father through the merits of the Son, my Re- 
deemer. With the angels and blessed in heaven, I unite my 
voice in glorifying and thanking Thee now and forever. Amen. 

Evening Hymn to the Holy Ghost. 

Holy Ghost, come down upon Thy children, 

Give us grace and make us Thine ; 
Thy tender fires within us kindle, 

Blessed Spirit ! Dove Divine ! 

For all within us good and holy, 

Is from Thee, Thy precious gift ; 
In all our joys, in all our sorrows, 

Wistful hearts to Thee we lift. 

Holy Ghost, etc. 

For Thou to us art more than father, 

More than sister, in Thy love. 
So gentle, patient, and forbearing. 

Holy Spirit ! heavenly Dove ! 

Holy Ghost, etc. 

O, we have grieved Thee, gracious Spirit, 

Wayward, wanton, cold are we ; 
And still our sins, new every evening, 

Never yet have wearied Thee. 

Holy Ghost, etc, 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 99 

Dear Paraclete I how hast Thou waited, 
While our hearts were slowly turned ! 

How often hath Thy love been slighted, 
While for us it grieved and burned ! 
Holy Ghost, etc. 

Now, if our hearts do not deceive us, 

We would take Thee for our Lord ; 
O dearest Spirit ! make us faithful 

To Thy least and lightest word. 

Holy Ghost, etc. 

Ask for light to examine your Conscience. 
O Divine Spirit ! Author of light and truth ! Enlighten 
my mind, that I may know the sins which I have committed 
this day, by thought, word and deed, or by omission of my 
duties to Thee, to my neighbor, or to myself; let nothing be 
hidden from my eyes. Move, I beseech Thee, my heart to 
abhor all my iniquities and transgressions. 

Here pause awhile in silent reflection. 

Act 0/ Sorrow and Amendment. 

Spirit of mercy ! I dare not lift up my eyes to Thee I 
Penetrated with profound grief at the sight of my sins, I cast 
myself at Thy feet and confess my wickedness ; before Thee 
have I sinned and done evil. Wash me more and more from 
my iniquity, and blot out my sins. How ungrateful have I 
been for Thy gifts ! How deeply have I grieved Thee, Holy 
Spirit ! Spare me, I humbly implore Thee, by the cross and 
love of Jesus Christ, my Saviour ; mercifully forgive whatsoever 
I have in my past life, and especially this day, done against Thy 
inspirations. 

1 now firmly propose, with Thy powerful assistance, to live 
according to Thy most holy will. I resolve to correct my evil 
habits, to attend to my duties, and to avoid all occasions of 
sin. Despise not, O divine Paraclete, my humble supplication, 



loo MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

for Jesus' sake ; but graciously accept my evening sacrifice, and 
may it ascend as incense in Thy sight. 

Act of Commendation. 
O Holy Ghost, have mercy on me, and by Thy holy grace 
strengthen me evermore, especially at the hour of my death. 
Amen. 

Ask for Blessing. 

God the Father, bless me ; God the Son, defend me ; God 
the Holy Ghost, enlighten and sanctify me this night and for- 
ever. Amen. 



DAILY PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST. 

O God the Holy Ghost, whom I have slighted, grieved, 
resisted from my childhood unto this day, reveal unto me Thy 
presence. Thy goodness, Thy power. Make me to know Thy 
sevenfold gifts ; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, of 
counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and piety, and of the 
fear of the Lord. Make me to be of quick understanding in 
the fear of the Lord. O Thou who art the Spirit of the Father 
and of the Son, O Thou who art the love of the Father and of 
the Son, O Thou who baptizest with fire, and sheddest abroad 
the love of God in our hearts, shed abroad Thy love into my 
heart. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek 
after : not wealth, rank, power, worldly honor, worldly happi- 
ness, or any worldly good, but one spark of that sacred flame, 
one touch of that heavenly fire, to kindle me and set me all 
on fire with the love of my God. Let that holy flame burn up 
and consume in me every spot and stain of the soul ?nd body. 
Purify me with the sevenfold fire of Thy love. Consume me 
as a holy sacrifice acceptable unto Thee. Kindle me with zeal ; 
melt me with sorrow, that I may live the life and die the death 
of a fervent penitent. Amen. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. loi 



III. 



MASS OF THE HOLY GHOST ON PENTECOST OR 
WHITSUNDAY. 

Suitable for the Day of Confirmation. 

PREPARATORY PRAYER. 

O Almighty Lord of heaven and earth ! I have come into 
Thy temple to offer up to Thee, by the hands of our High 
Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, the sacrifice of His Body and 
Blood, in union with that sacrifice which He offered up to 
Thee upon the cross. Behold me Thy child, cleansed by the 
water of Baptism, washed again from my sins in Penance, 
ready to be united with Thy Son in the sacrament of His love. 
What am I, O God of holiness and justice, that Thou shouldst 
bestow upon my soul such great and precious graces ! Gra- 
ciously look down from Thy throne in the highest upon Thy 
wretched creature, yet the noble work of Thy hands. From 
the depths of my nothingness, with a contrite and humble heart, 
I beseech Thee, send down Thy Holy Spirit and enkindle in 
me the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit that I may be 
enriched with His sevenfold gifts, in the sacrament which I, 
though unworthy, presume to receive this day through the 
ministry of Thy servant, our Bishop. 

Receive then, O Holy Spirit, eternal love of the Father and 
the Son, the sacrifice which I desire to offer unto Thy divine 
Majesty ; first, for Thine own adoration, praise and glory ; 
secondly, in acknowledgment of Thy sovereign excellence and 
supreme dominion over me and all creatures, and of my total 
dependence and submission ; thirdly, in perpetual commemo- 
ration of the passion and death of my dear Saviour and Lord ; 
fourthly, in thanksgiving for all Thy blessings on the Church 



I02 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

triumphant in heaven, mihtant on earth, suffering in purgatory ; 
fifthly, for obtaining forgiveness of all my sins, and of those of 
all others, living or dead, for whom I ought to pray ; lastly, 
and in particular, I offer up before Thine altar this propitia- 
tory sacrifice, that I may be fully endued with Thy graces in 
this great sacrament, to become a true and loyal soldier of 
Jesus Christ, and bear the sacred seal of fidelity in my soul 
now and forever. Lest I labor and strive in vain, be Thou 
pleased, O Divine Spirit and Comforter, to enlighten my un- 
derstanding, to inflame my will, that I may so conduct myself 
in Thy presence as to reap most plentifully the fruits of this 
holy sacrifice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

THE MASS. 

At the foot of the Altar the Priest says : 

In nomine Patris, ^ et Filii, In the name of the Father, ^J^ 

et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. and of the Son, and of the 

Introibo ad altare Dei. Holy Ghost. Amen. 

I will go unto thealtar of God. 

M,^ Ad Deum, qui laetificat A} To God, who giveth joy 

juventutem meam. to my youth. 

S. Judica me, Dejas, et dis- P, Judge me, O God, and 

cerne causam meam de gente distinguish my cause from the 
non sancta : ab homine iniquo nation that is not holy : de- 
et doloso erue me. liver me from the unjust and 

deceitful man. 

M. Quia tu es, Deus, forti- A, For Thou, O God, art 

tudomea : quare me repulisti, my strength : why hast Thou 
et quare tristis incedo dum cast me off.? and why do I go 
affligit me inimicus } sorrowful whilst the enemy 

afilicteth me } 

1 These abbreviations S.,M., and P., A. stand for the Latin words Sqcer- 
doSy Minister^ and the English Priest and Altar-boy. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 



103 



S, Emitte lucem tuam et 
veritatem luam : ipsa me de- 
duxerunt et adduxerunt in 
montem sanctum tuum et in 
tabernacula tua. 

M, Et introibo ad altare 
Dei : ad Deum, qui laetificat 
juventutem meam. 

S. Confitebor tibi in citha- 
ra, Deus, Deus mens : quare 
tristis es, anima mea, et quare 
conturbas me ? 

M, Spera in Deo, quoniam 
adhuc confitebor illi : salutare 
vultus mei, et Deus meus. 

»9. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et 
Spiritui Sancto. 

M. Sicut erat in principio, 
et nunc,et semper : et in saecu- 
la saeculorum. Amen. 

S. Introibo ad altare Dei. 

M, Ad Deum qui laetificat 
juventutem meam. 

S. Adjutorium ^J^ nostrum 
in nomine Domini. 

M. Qui fecit coelum et ter- 
ram. 

S. Confiteor Deo omnipo- 
tenti, beatae Mariae semper Vir- 
gini, beato Michaeli Archan- 
gelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, 



P. Send forth Thy light and 
Thy truth : they have conduct- 
ed me and brought me unto 
Thy holy mount, and into Thy 
tabernacles. 

A, And I will go unto the 
altar of God : to God, who 
giveth joy to my youth. 

P. I will praise Thee on 
the harp, O God, my God : 
why art thou sorrowful, O my 
soul .? and why dost thou dis- 
quiet me } 

A, Hope in God, for I will 
still give praise to Him : who 
is the salvation of my counte- 
nance, and my God. 

P. Glory be to the Father, 
etc. 

A. As it was in the begin- 
ning, is now, and ever shall 
be, world without end. Amen. 

P, I will go unto the altar 
of God. 

A, To God, who giveth joy 
to my youth. 

P, Our help ^ is in the 
name of the Lord. 

A, Who hath made heaven 
and earth. 

P, I confess to Almighty 
God, to blessed Mary ever 
Virgin, to blessed Michael the 
Archangel, to blessed John the 



I04 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



Sanctis Apostolis Petro et Pau- 
lo, omnibus Sanctis, et vobis 
fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogi- 
ta'.ione, verbo, et opere, mea 
culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima 
culpa. Ideo precor beatam 
Mariam semper Virginem, bea- 
tum MichaelemArchangelum, 
beatum Joannem Baptistam, 
sanctos Apostolos Petrum et 
Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et 
vos fratres, orare pro me ad 
Dominum Deum nostrum. 



M. Misereatur tui omnipo- 
tens Deus, et dimissis peccaiis 
tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeter- 
nam. 

S. Amen. 

M, Confiteor Deo omnipo- 
tenti, etc. 

6*. Misereatur vestri omni- 
potens Deus, et dimissis pec- 
catis vestris, perducat vos ad 
vitam aeternam. 

M. Amen. 

S. Indulgentiam, i^ abso- 
lutionem, et remissionem pec- 
catorum nostrorum tribuat no- 
bis omnipotens et misericors 
Dominus. 



Baptist, to the holy Apostles 
Peter and Paul, to all the saints, 
and to you, brethren, that I 
have sinned exceedingly in 
thought, word, and deed [here 
strike the breast thrice'], through 
my fault, through my fault 
through my most grievous 
fault. Therefore I beseech the 
blessed Mary ever Virgin, 
blessed Michael the Arch- 
angel, blessed John the Baptist, 
the holy Apostles Peter and 
Paul, all the saints, and you, 
brethren, to pray to the Lord 
our God for me. 

A. May Almighty God have 
mercy upon thee, forgive thee 
thy sins, and bring thee to life 
everlasting. 

P, Amen. 

A. I confess to Almighty 
God, etc.^ 

P, May Almighty God have 
mercy upon you, forgive you 
your sins, and bring you to 
life everlasting. 

A. Amen. 

P. May the ^ almighty 
and merciful Lord grant us 
pardon, absolution, and re- 
mission of our sins. 



1 Instead of brethren, the altar- boy ?,^.ys father. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



los 



M. Amen. 

S. Deus, tu conversus vivi- 
ficabis nos. 

M, Et plebs tua laetabitur 
in te. 

-S*. Ostende nobis, Domine, 
mi^ericordiam tuam. 

M. Et salutare tuum da no- 
bis. 

S. Domine, exaudi oratio- 
nem meam. 

M. Et clamor mens ad te 
veniat. 

S. Dominus vobiscum. 

M. Et cum spiritu tuo. 



A. Amen. 

P. Thou wilt turn again, 
O God, and quicken us. 

A, And Thy people shall 
rejoice in Thee. 

P, Show us, O Lord, Thy 
mercy. 

A. And grant us Thy salva- 
tion. 

P. O Lord, hear my prayer. 

A. And let my cry come 
unto Thee. 

P. The Lord be with you. 
A. And with thy spirit. 



Ascending the Altar, the Priest says : 



Or emus : 

Aufer a nobis, quaesumus 
Domine, iniquitates nostras : 
ut ad Sancta sanctorum puris 
mereamur mentibus introire. 
Per Christum Dominum nos- 
trum. Amen. 

Oram us te, Domine, perme- 
rita sanctorum tuorum, quo- 
rum reliquiae hie sunt, et om- 
nium sanctorum, ut indulgere 
digneris omnia peccata mea. 
Amen. 



Let us pray : 

Take away from us our in- 
iquities, we beseech Thee, O 
Lord : that we may be worthy 
to enter with pure minds into 
the Holy of Holies. Through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, 
by the merits of Thy saints 
whose relics are here, and of all 
the saints, that Thou wouldst 
vouchsafe to forgive me all my 
sins. Amen. 



At Solemn Mass the Priest incenses the Altar. Then he goes to 
the Epistle side, and reads the Introit, Sap. i. 



io6 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



Spiritus Domini replevit 
orbem lerrarum^ Alleluia : et 
hoc quod continet omnia, 
scientiam habet vocis, Alleluia, 
Alleluia, Alleluia. 

Ps, Ixvii Exurgat Deus,et 
dissipentur inimici ejus : et 
fugiant, qui oderunt eum, a 
facie ejus. 

V, Gloria Patri, et Filio, et 
Spiritui Sancto, 

R, Sicut erat in principio, 
et nunc, et semper, et in sae- 
cula saeculorum. Amen. 



The Spirit of the Lord hath 
filled the whole earth, Allel. ; 
that which containeth all things 
hath knowledge of the voice, 
Allel. Allel. Allel. 

Ps. Ixvii. Let God arise, 
and His enemies be scattered : 
and let them that hate Him 
fly before His face. 

Glory be to the Father, and 
to the Son, and to the Holy 
Ghost, 

As it was in the beginning, 
is now, and ever shall be, 
world without end. Amen. 



Before the middle of the Altar, 



S, Kyrie eleison. 
M. Kyrie eleison. 
S. Kyrie eleison. 
M, Christe eleison. 
S, Christe eleison. 
M. Christe eleison. 
S. Kyrie eleison. 
M. Kyrie eleison. 
S. Kyrie eleison. 



Lord have mercy on us. 



Christ have mercy on us. 



Lord have mercv on us. 



Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et 
in terra pax hominibus bonae 
voluntatis. Laudamus te. 
Benedicimus te. Adofamus 
te. Glorificamus te. Gratias 
agimus tibi propter magnam 
gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, 
Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omni- 



Glory be to God on high, 
and on earth peace to men of 
good will. We praise thee. 
We bless Thee. We adore 
Thee. We glorify thee. We 
give Thee thanks for Thy 
great glory. O Lord God, 
heavenly King, God the Father 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



107 



potens. Domine Fill iinige- 
nite Jesu Christe. Domine 
Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Pat- 
ris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, 
miserere nobis. Qui tollis pec- 
cata mundi, suscipe depreca- 
tionem nostram. Qui sedes 
ad dexteram Patris, miserere 
nobis. Quoniam tu solus sanc- 
tus. Tu solus Dominus. Tu 
solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. 
Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria 
Dei Patris. Amen. 



almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, 
the only-begotten Son. O 
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son 
of the Father. Who takest 
away the sins of the world, 
have mercy on us. Thou 
who takest away the sins of 
the world, receive our prayers. 
Thou who sittest at the right 
hand of the Father, have mer- 
cy on us. For Thou only art 
holy. Thou only art the Lord. 
Thou only art most high, O 
Jesus Christ, with the Holy 
Ghost, in the glory of God 
the Father. Amen. 



Turned to the people, the Priest says 



S, Dominus vobiscum. 
M, Et cum spiritu tuo. 



P. The Lord be with you. 
A. And with thy spirit. 



At the Epistle side he first reads the Collect : 



Or emus. 

Deus qui hodierna die corda 
fidelium sancti Spiritus illus- 
tratione docuisti : da nobis in 
eodem Spiritu recta sapere ; et 
de ejus semper consolatione 
gaudere. Per Dominum nos- 
trum Jesum Christum, Filium 
tuum, qui tecum vivit et reg- 
nat in unitate ejusdem Spiritus 



Let us pray, 

O God ! who on this day 
didst instruct the hearts of the 
faithful by the light of the 
Holy Spirit : grant us in the 
same Spirit to relish what is 
right, and ever to rejoice in 
His consolation. Through 
our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy 
Son, who liveth and reign eth 



io8 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 



sancti Deus : per omnia S3e- 
cula saeculorum. 
M. Amen. 



Then the 

Lectio Actuum Apostolo- 
RUM. Act, ii. Cum comple- 
rentur dies Pentecostes, erant 
omnes discipuli pariter in eo- 
dem loco : et factus est re- 
pente de coelo sonus, tam- 
quam advenientis spiritus ve- 
hementis : et replevit totam 
domum ubi erant sedentes. 
Et apparuerunt illis dispertitae 
linguae tamquam ignis, se- 
ditque supra singulos eorum : 
et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu 
sancto, et coeperunt loqui variis 
linguis, prout Spiritus sanc- 
tus dabat eloqui illis. Erant 
autem in Jerusalem habitantes 
Judaei, viri religiosi ex omni 
natione, quae sub coelo est. 
Facta autem hac voce, conve- 
nit multitudo, et mente con- 
fusa est, quoniam audiebat 
unusquisque lingua sua illos 
loquentes. Stupebant autem 
omnes, et mirabantur, dicen- 
tes : Nonne ecce omnes isti, 
qui loquuntur, Galilaei sunt? 
Et quomodo nos audivimus 



with Thee in the unity of the 
same Holy Spirit, God, world 
without end. 
A, Amen. 

Epistle : 

Lesson. Acts 2,\-i\, When 
the days of Pentecost were ac- 
complished, they were all to- 
gether in one place ; and sud- 
denly there came a sound from 
heaven, as of a mighty wind 
coming, and it filled the whole 
house where they were sitting. 
And there appeared to them 
parted tongues as it were of 
fire, and it sat upon every one 
of them : and they were all 
filled with the Holy Ghost, 
and they began to speak with 
divers tongues, according as 
the Holy Ghost gave them to 
speak. Now there were dwell- 
ing at Jerusalem, Jews, devout 
men, of every nation under 
heaven. And when this was 
noised abroad, the multitude 
came together, and were con- 
founded in mind, because that 
every man heard them speak 
in his own tongue : and they 
were all amazed, and won- 
dered, saying : Behold, are 
not all these that speak Gali - 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 



t09 



unusquisque linguam nostram 
in qua nati sumus? Parthi, et 
Medi, et ^^lamitae, et qui 
habitant Mesopotamiam, Ju- 
daeam, et Cappodociam, Pon- 
tum, et Asiam, Phrygiam, et 
Pamphyliam, ^gyptum, et 
partes Libyae, quae est circa 
Cyrenen, et advenae Romani, 
Judaei quoque, et Proselyti, 
Cretes, et Arabes : audivimus 
eos loquentes nostris linguis 
magnalia Dei. 
M. Deo Gratias. 



Alleluia, Alleluia. F. Ps. 
cm. Emitte Spiritum tuum, 
et creabuntur : et renovabis 
faciem terrae. AUel. V. Veni 
sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum 
corda fidelium : et tui amoris 
in eis ignem accende. 



leans? And how have we 
heard every man our own 
tongue wherein we were born } 
Parthians and Medes.. and 
Elamites, and inhamtants of 
Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cap- 
padocia, Pontus, and Asia, 
Phrygia^and Pamphylia,Egypt, 
and the parts of Libya about 
Cyrenejand strangers of Rome, 
Jews also, and Proselytes, 
Cretes, and Arabians: we have 
heard them speak in our own 
tongues the wonderful works 
of God. 

A. Thanks be to God. 

Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps. 
loj. Send forth Thy Spirit, 
and they shall be created : 
and Thou shalt renew the face 
of the earth. AUel. V. Come, 
O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts 
of Thy faithful, and kindle in 
them the fire of Thy love. 



Then the Sequence : 



Veni sancte Spiritus, 
Et emitte coelitus 
Lucis tuae radium. 



Veni pater pauperum, 



Holy Spirit ! Lord of light ! 
From Thy clear celestial 

height, 
Thy pure, beaming radiance 

give. 

Come, Thou Father of the 
poor; 



no 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



Veni dator munerum, 
Veni lumen cordium. 



Consolator optime, 
Dulcis hospes animae, 
Dulce refrigerium. 

In labore requies, 
In aestu temperies, 
In fletu solatium. 

O lux beatissima, 
Reple cordis intima 
Tuorum fidelium. 

Sine tuo numine, 
Nihil est in homine, 
Nihil est innoxium. 

Lava quod est sordidum, 
Riga quod est aridum, 
Sana quod est saucium. 

Flecte quod est rigidum, 
Fove quod est frigidum, 
Rege quod est devium. 

Da tuis fidelibus, 
In te confidentibus, 
Sacrum septenarium. 

Da virtutis meritum, 



Come, with treasures which 

endure ; 
Come, Thou light of all that 

live 1 

Thou, of all consolers best, 
Visiting the troubled breast, 
Dost refreshing peace bestow. 

Thou in toil art comfort sweet; 
Pleasant coolness in the heat ; 
Solace in the midst of woe. 

Light immortal ! light divine ! 
Visit Thou these hearts of 

thine. 
And our inmost being fill. 

If thou take Thy grace away. 
Nothing pure in man will stay, 
All his good is turn'd to ill. 

Heal our wound s — o u r 

strength renew ; 
On our dryness pour Thy dew ; 
Wash the stains of guilt away. 

Bend the stubborn heart and 

will ; 
Melt the frozen, warm the chill; 
Guide the steps that go astray. 

Thou, on those who evermore 
Thee confess, and thee adore. 
In Thy sevenfold gifts de- 
scend. 

Give them comfort when they 
die ; 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 1 1 1 

Da salutis exitum, Give them life with Thee on 

Da perenne gaudium. high ; 

Amen. Give them joys which never 

end. Amen. 

Bowing down before the middle of the Altar, he says : 

Munda cor meum, ac labia Cleanse my heart and my 

mea, omnipotens Deus, qui lips, O almighty God, who 

labia Isaiae Prophetae calculo didst cleanse the lips of the 

mundasti ignito : ita me tua prophet Isaias with a burning 

grata miserationedignaremun- coal; and vouchsafe, through 

dare, ut sanctum Evangelium Thy gracious mercy, so to pu- 

tuum digne valeam nuntiare. rify me, that I may worthily 

Per Christum Dominum nos- proclaim Thy Holy Gospel, 

trum. Amen. Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

Jube Domine benedicere. Give me Thy blessing, O 

Dominus sit in corde meo et Lord.^ The Lord be in my 

in labiis meis : ut digne et heart and on my lips, that I 

competenterannuntiem Evan- may worthily and in a be- 

gelium suum. Amen. coming manner announce His 

holy Gospel. Amen. 

Standing at the Gospel side, the Priest says : 

S. Dominus vobiscum. P. The Lord be with you. 

M. Et cum spiritu tuo. A. And with thy spirit. 

S Sequentia^sanctiEvan- P, The continuation ^ of 

gehi secundum Joannem. the Gospel according to St. 

John (xiv. 23-31). 
M. Gloria tibi Domine. A. Glory be to Thee, O 

Lord! 



1 At High Mass, the Deacon asks this blessing from the Celebrant, 
who addresses to him the words : ** The Lord be in thy heart," etc. •* In 
the name of the Father," etc. 



112 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 



S. In illo tempore : Dixit 
Jesus discipulis suis : Si quis 
diligit me, sermonem meum 
servabit, et Pater mens diligit 
eum, et ad eum veniemus, 
et mansionem apud eum 
faciemus : qui non diliget me, 
sermones meos non servat. 
Et sermonem quem audistis, 
non est mens ; sed ejus, qui 
misit me, Patris. Hsec locu- 
tus sum vobis, apud vos ma- 
nens. Paraclitus autem Spi- 
ritus sanctus, quem mittet 
Pater in nomine meo, ille vos 
docebit omnia, et suggeret 
vobis omnia, qusecumque 
dixero vobis. Pacem relinquo 
vobis, pacem meam do vobis : 
non quomodo mundus dat, 
ego do vobis. Non turbetur 
cor vestrum, neque formidet. 
Audistis quia ego dixi vobis : 
Vado. et venio ad vos. Si 
diligeretis me, gauderetis 
utique, quia vado ad Patrem ; 
quia Pater major me est. Et 
nunc dixi vobis priusquam 
fiat : ut cum factum fuerit, 
credatis. Jam non multa lo- 
quar vobiscum. Venit enim 
princeps mundi hujus, et in 
me non habet quidquam. 
Sed ut cognoscat mundus, 



P. At that time Jesus said to 
His disciples : If any one love 
Me, he will keep My word, 
and My Father will love him, 
and We will come to him, and 
will make our abode with him. 
He that loveth Me not, keep- 
eth not My words : and the 
word which you have heard is 
not Mine, but the Father's, 
who sent Me. These things 
have I spoken to you, abiding 
with you. But the Paraclete, 
the Holy Ghost, whom the 
Father will send in My name, 
He will teach vou all thinsrs, 
and bring all things to your 
mind, whatsoever I shall have 
said to you. Peace I leave 
with you. My peace I give 
unto you ; not as the world 
giveth, do I give unto you. 
Let not your heart be trou- 
bled, nor let it be afraid. You 
have heard that I said to you : 
I go away, and I come unto 
you. If you loved Me, you 
would indeed be glad, because 
I go to the Father : for the 
Father is greater than I. And 
now I have told you before it 
came to pass, that when it 
shall come to pass, you may 
believe. I will not now speak 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 



113 



quia diligo Patrem, et sicut 
mandatum dedit mihi Pater, 
sic facio. 

M, Laus tibi Christe. 



S. Per evangelica dicta de- 
leantur nostra delicta.^ 

Returned to the middle of 

Credo in unum Deum, Pa- 
trem omnipotentem, factorem 
coeli et terrae, visibilium omni- 
um et invisibilium. 

Et in unum Dominum Je- 
sum Christum, Filium Dei uni- 
genitum. Et ex Patre natum 



many things with you ; for the 
prince of this world cometh, 
and in Me he hath not any- 
thing. But that the world may 
know that I love the Father, 
and as the Father hath given 
me commandment, so do I. 

A. Praise be to Thee, O 
Christ. 

P, By the words of the Gos- 
pel ma^' our sins be blotted out. 

the Altar, the Priest says : 

I believe in one God, the 
Father Almighty, Maker of 
heaven and earth, and of all 
things visible and invisible. 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ 
the only-begotten Son of God, 
and born of the Father before 



^ If there he a sermon, the following prayers may be appropriately 
said. 

Prayer before the Sermon. 

Come, O Creator Spirit ! Enlighten my understanding, that 
I may hear Thy word with a docile mind ; cleanse my heart, 
that it may bring fruit therein unto life everlasting. Through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

After the Sermon. 

I render thee thanks, most Holy Spirit ! Thou hast vouch- 
safed to refreshen my soul with Thy holy doctrine. Direct, I 
beseech Thee, my footsteps in the path of Thy divine light ever- 
inore. Amen, 



114 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 



ante omnia saecula. Deum de 
Deo, lumen de lumine, 
Deum verum de Deo vero. 
Genitum, non factum, consub- 
stantialem Patri : per quem 
omnia facta sunt. Qui prop- 
ter nos homines, et propter 
nostram salutem descendit de 
coelis. {Hie genufleditur. ) Et 
incarnatus estde Spiritu sancto 
ex Maria Virgine : et homo 
FACTUS EST. Crucifixus etiam 
pro nobis : sub Pontio Pilato 
passus, et sepultus est. Et 
resurrexit tertia die secundum 
Scripturas. Et ascendit in coe- 
lum: sedet ad dexteram Patris. 
Et iterum venturus est cum 
gloria judicare vivos et mor- 
tuos : cujus regni non erit finis. 



all ages. God of God : Light 
of Light : true God of true 
God. Begotten, not made, 
consubstantial with the Father: 
by whom all things were made. 
Who for us men, and for our sal- 
vation, descended from heaven. 
{He7'e the people genuflect. ) An d 
was incarnate by the Holy 
Ghost of the Virgin ]\Iary : 

AND WAS MADE MAN. He WaS 

crucified also for us, suffered 
under Pontius Pilate, and was 
buried. The third day He rose 
again according to the Scrip- 
tures. And ascended into hea- 
ven, and sitteth at the right 
hand of the Father. And He 
shall come again with glory, 
to judge both the living and 
the dead ; of His kingdom 
there shall be no end. 



Et in Spiritum sanctum, 
Dominum,etvivificantem: qui 
ex Patre, Filioque procedit. 
Qui cum Patre, et Filio simul 
adoratur, et conglorificatur : 
qui locutus est per prophetas. 
Et unam sanctam catholicam 
et apostolicam Ecclesiam. 
Confiteor unum baptisma in 
remissionem peccatorum. Et 
expecto resurrectionem mor- 



And I believe in the Holy 
Ghost, the Lord and life-giver, 
who proceedeth from the Fa- 
ther and the Son : who toge- 
ther with the Father and the 
Son is adored and glorified : 
who spake by the prophets. 
And one holy Catholic and 
Apostolic Church. I confess 
one baptism for the remission 
of sins. And I look for the 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 



tuorum. Et vitam venturi resurrection of the dead, and 



saeculi. Amen. 

S. Dominus vobiscum. 
M, Et cum spiritu tuo. 



the life of the world to come. 
Amen. 

P. The Lord be with you. 

A. And with thy spirit. 



At the Offertory. 



Ps. Ixvii. Confirma hoc 
Deus, quod operatus es in 
nobis : a templo tuo quod est 
in Jerusalem, tibi offeren treges 
munera, Alleluia. 

Offering the altar- 

Suscipe, sancte Pater, omni- 
potens seterne Deus, hanc 
immaculatam hostiam, quam 
ego indignus famulus tuus of- 
fero tibi Deo meo vivo et vero, 
pro innumerabilibus peccatis, 
et offensionibus, etnegligentiis 
meis, et pro omnibus circum- 
stantibus, sed et pro omnibus 
fidelibus christianis vivis at- 
que defunctis : ut mihi, et illis 
proficiat ad salutem in vitam 
aeternam. Amen. 



Ps. 6y. Confirm this, O 
God, which Thou hast wrought 
in .us ; from Thy temple, 
which is in Jerusalem, kings 
shall offer presents to Thee, 
Alleluia. 

■bread, he says : 

Accept, O holy Father^ al- 
mighty, eternal God, this im- 
maculate Host, which I, Thy 
unworthy servant, offer unto 
Thee, my living and true God, 
for my innumerable sins, of- 
fences, and negligences, and 
for all here present, as also 
for all faithful Christians, both 
living and dead, that it may be 
profitable for my own and for 
their salvation unto life eternal. 
Amen. 



Blessing the water, he says : 

Deus, ►J^ qui humanae sub- O God, ^ who, in creating 

stantiae dignitatem mirabiliter human nature, didst wonder- 

condidisti, et mirabilius re- fully dignify it, and hast still 

formasti : da nobis per hujus more wonderfully renewed it : 



ii6 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 



aquae et vini mysterium, ejus 
divinitatis esse consortes, qui 
humanitatis nostrae fieri digna- 
tus est particeps, Jesus Chn- 
stus Filius tuus, Dominusnos- 
ter : qui tecum vivit et regnat 
in unitate Spiritus sancti Deus ; 
per omnia saecula saeculorum. 
Amen. 



grant that, by the mystery of 
this water and wine, we may 
be made partakers of His divi- 
nity, who vouchsafed to be- 
come partaker of our human- 
ity, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our 
Lord ; who liveth and reigneth 
with thee in the unity of, etc. 
Amen. 



Offering the imne, he says : 



Oiferimustibi, Domine, cali- 
cem salutaris, tuam deprecan- 
tes clementiam : ut in con- 
spectu divinae majestatis tuae, 
pro nostra, et totius mundi sa- 
lute cum odore suavitatis as- 
cendat. Amen. 



We offer unto Thee, O Lord, 
the chalice of salvation, be- 
seeching Thy clemency, that in 
the sight of Thy divine Ma- 
jesty, it may ascend with the 
odor of sweetness, for our sal- 
vation, and for that of the 
whole world. Amen. 



Bowing down and then raising his hands ^ he says : 



In spiritu humilitatis, et in 
animo contrito, suscipiamur a 
te, Domine : et sic fiat sacrifi- 
cium nostrum in conspectu tuo 
hodie, ut placeat tibi, Domine 
Deus. 

Veni sanctificator omnipo- 
tens aeterne Deus : et bene ^ 
die hoc sacrificium, tuo sancto 
nomini praeparatum. 



In the spirit of humility, and 
with a contrite heart, let us be 
received by Thee, O Lord, and 
grant that the sacrifice we offer 
in Thy sight this day may be 
pleasing to Thee, O Lord God 

Come, O sanctifier, almighty 
eternal God, and bless ►J^ this 
sacrifice, prepared to Thy holy 
name. 



At High Mass the Priest blesses the inceJise, and then i^icenses tJ.e 
bread and wine and the al/ar, saying : 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



117 



Per intercessionem beati 
Michaelis Archangel!, stantis 
a dextris altaris incensi, et 
omnium electorum suorum, 
incensum istud dignetur Domi- 
nus benedicere, et in odorem 
suavitatis accipere. Per Chri- 
stum D o m i n u m nostrum. 
Amen. 

Incensum istud a te benedic- 
tum ascendat ad te, Domine : 
et descendat super nos miseri- 
cordia tua, 

Dirigatur, Domine oratio 
mea sicut incensum in con- 
spectu tuo : elevatio manuum 
mearum sacrificium vesperti- 
num. Pone, Domine, custo- 
diam ori meo, et ostium cir- 
cumstantiae labiis meis, ut non 
decHnet cor meum in verba 
malitiae, ad excusandas excusa- 
tiones in peccatis. 

Accendat in nobis Dominus 
ignem sui amoris, et flammam 
aeternse charitatis. Amen. 



By the intercession of 
blessed Michael the Archangel, 
standing at the right hand of 
the Altar of Incense, and of 
all his elect, may the Lord 
vouchsafe to bless this incense, 
and receive it as an odor of 
sweetness. Through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

May this incense which 
Thou hast blest, O Lord, as- 
cend to Thee, and may Thy 
mercy descend upon us. 

Let my prayer, O Lord, as- 
cend like incense in Thy sight: 
and the lifting up of my hands 
be as an evening sacrifice. 
Set a watch, O Lord, before 
my mouth, and a door round 
about my lips, that my heart 
may not incline to evil words, 
to make excuses in sins. 

May the Lord enkindle in 
us the fire of His love, and the 
flame of everlasting charity. 
Amen. 



Washing his hands at the Epistle-side^ he says , 



Ps. XXV. Lavabo inter in- 
nocentes manus meas : et cir- 
cumdabo altare tuum, 
Domine : 



Ps, 2^. I will wash my 
hands among the innocent : 
and will compass Thy altar, 
O Lord : 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



Ut audiam vocem laudis : 
et enarrem universa mirabilia 
tua. 

Domine, dilexi decorem 
domus tu3e : et locum habitati- 
onis gloriae tuae. 

Ne perdas cum impiis, 
Deus, animam meam : et 
cum viris sanguinum vitam 
meam. 

In quorum manibus iniqui- 
tates sunt : dextera eorum re- 
pleta est muneribus. 

Ego autem in innocentia 
mea ingressus sum : redime 
me, et miserere mei. 

Pes mens stetit in directo : 
in ecclesiis benedicam te, Do- 
mine. 

Gloria Patri, etc. 

Bowing before the 

Suscipe, sancta Trinitas, 
banc oblationem, quam tibi 
offerimus ob memoriam pas- 
sionis, resurrectionis, et as- 
censionis Jesu Christi Domini 
nostri : et in honorem beatse 
Mariae semper Virgin is, et 
beati Joannis Baptistae, et sanc- 
torum Apostolorum Petri et 
Pauli, et istorum, et omnium 
Sanctorum : ut illis proficiat 



That I may hear the voice of 
praise, and tell of all Thy mar- 
velous works. 

I have loved, O Lord, the 
beauty of Thy house, and the 
place where Thy glory dwell- 
eth. 

Take not away my soul, O 
God, with the wicked, nor my 
life with bloody men. 

In whose hands are iniqui- 
ties : their right hand is filled 
with gifts. 

But as for me, I have walked 
in my innocence : redeem me, 
and have mercy on me. 

My foot hath stood in the 
direct path : in the churches I 
will bless Thee, O Lord. 

Glory be to the Father, etc. 

middle of the Altar : 

Receive, O holy Trinity, 
this oblation^ which we make 
to Thee, in memory of the 
Passion, Resurrection and As- 
cension of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and in honor of the 
blessed Mary ever Virgin, of 
blessed John the Baptist, the 
holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 
of these and of all the Saints : 
that it may be available to their 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 



119 



ad honorem, nobis autem ad 
salutem : et illi pro nobis in- 
tercedere dignentur in coelis, 
quorum memoriam agimus in 
terris. Per eumdem Christum 
Dominum nostrum. Amen. 



honor and our salvation : and 
may they vouchsafe to inter- 
cede for us in heaven, whose 
memory we celebrate on earth. 
Through the same Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



Turning to the people^ the Priest says : 

Orate, fratres : ut meum ac 
vestrum sacrificium acceptabile 
fiat apud Deum Patrem omni- 
potentem. 

M. Suscipiat Dominus sa- 
crificium de manibus tuis, ad 
laudem etgloriam nominissui, 
ad utilitatem quoque nostram, 
totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae. 



Brethren, pray that my sac- 
rifice and yours may be accept- 
able to God the Father Al- 
mighty. 

A, May the Lord receive 
the sacrifice from thy hands, to 
the praise and glory of His 
name, for our benefit, and that 
of all His holv Church. 



Turned to the altar ^ 

Munera, quaesumus Domine 
oblatasanctifica : etcorda nos- 
tra sancti Spiritus illustratione 
emunda. Per Dominum nos- 
trum Jesum Christum Filium 
tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat 
in unitate ejusdem Spiritus 
sancti Deus : 



he says the Secret. 

Sanctify, we beseech Thee, 
O Lord, the offered gifts, and 
purify our hearts by the light 
of the Holy Spirit. Through 
our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy 
Son, who liveth and reigneth 
with Thee in the unity of the 
same Holy Spirit, God : 



At the Preface. 



S. Per omnia saecula saecu- 
lorum. 

M. Amen. 

S. Dominus vobiscum. 

M. Et cum spiritu tuo. 



P. World without end. 

A. Amen. 

P, The Lord be with you. 

A. And with thy spirit. 



I20 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMA TIOK 



aS". Sursum corda. 

M. Habemus ad Domi- 
num. 

S. Gratias agamus Domino 
Deo nostro. 

M, Dignum et justum est. 

S. Vere dignum et justum 
est, aequum et salutare, nos 
tibi semper, et ubique gratias 
agere, Domine sancte, Pater 
omnipotens, aeterne Deus per 
Christum Dominum nostrum. 
Qui ascendens super omnes 
coelos, sedensque ad dexteram 
tuam, promissum Spiritum 
sanctum hodierna die in filios 
adoptionis effudit. Quaprop- 
ter profusis gaudiis totus in 
orbeterrarum mundus exsultat. 
Sed et supernae Virtutes atque 
angelicae Potestates, hymnum 
gloriae tuae concinunt, sine fine 
dicentes : 

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus 
Dominus Deus Sabaoth. 
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria 
tua. Hosanna in excelsis ! 
Benedictus ^ qui venit in 
nomine Domini. Hosanna in 
excelsis ! 



P, Lift up your hearts. 

A, We have them lifted up 
unto the Lord. 

P. Let us give thanks to 
the Lord our God. 

A. It is meet and just. 

P, It is truly meet and just, 
right and salutary, that we 
should always, and in all 
places, give thanks to Thee, 
O holy Lord, Father Almighty, 
Eternal God : through Christ 
our Lord. Who ascending 
above all the heavens, and sit- 
ting at Thy right hand, sent 
down this day the promised 
Holy Spirit upon the children 
of adoption. Wherefore the 
whole world exults in over- 
flowing joy. As likewise the 
Virtues on high and the angelic 
Powers sing a hymn to Thy 
glory, saying unceasingly : 

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord 
God of Hosts. The heavens 
and the earth are full of Thy 
glory. Hosanna in the high- 
est ! Blessed ^ is he that 
Cometh in the name of the 
Lord. Hosanna in the highest. 



Ca7ion of the Mass. 

Te igitur, clementissime W^e therefore humbly pray 

Pater, per Jesum Christum and beseech Thee, most mer- 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



121 



Filium tuum Dominum nos- 
trum, supplices rogamus ac 
petimus, uti accepta habeas et 
benedicas haec ^ dona, haec 
^ munera, haec ^ sancta sa- 
crificia illibata, in primis, quae 
tibi offerimus pro Ecclesia tua 
sancta catholica, quam pacifi- 
care, custodire, adunare, et 
regere digneris toto orbe ter- 
rarum : una cum famulo tuo 
Papa nostro N. , et Antistite 
nostro N., et omnibus ortho- 
doxis, atque catholicae et 
apostolicae fidei cultoribus. 



ciful Father, through Jesus 
Christ Thy Son, our Lord {he 
kisses the altar), that Thou 
wouldst vouchsafe to accept 
and bless these ^ gifts, these 
J^ presents, these ^ holy un- 
spotted sacrifices, which, in 
the first place, we offer Thee 
for Thy holy Catholic Church, 
to which vouchsafe to grant 
peace; as also to protect, unite, 
and govern it throughout the 
world, together with Thy serv- 
ant, N., our Pope, N. , our 
Bishop, as also all orthodox 
believers and professors of the 
Catholic and Apostolic Faith. 



Memento, Domine, famulo- 
rum famularumque tuarum, 
N. et N. : 

Et omnium circumstantium, 
quorum tibi fides cognita est, 
et nota devotio : pro quibus 
tibi offerimus, vel qui tibi 
offerunt hoc sacrificium laudis, 
pro se, suisque omnibus, pro 
redemptione animarum sua- 
rum, pro spe salutis et incolu- 
mitatis suae : tibique reddunt 
vota sua, aeterno Deo, vivo et 
vero. 



Commemoration of the Living. 

Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy 



servants, men and women, N. 
and N.: 

And of all here present, 
whose faith and devotion are 
known unto Thee : for whom 
we offer or who offer up to 
Thee this sacrifice of praise for 
themselves, their families and 
friends, for the redemption of 
their souls, for the hope of 
their safety and salvation, and 
who pay their vows to Thee, 
the eternal, living, and true 
God. 



122 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



Communicantes, et memo- 
riam venerantes, in primis glo- 
riosae semper Virginis Mariae, 
Genitricis Dei et Domini nos- 
tri Jesu Christi : sed et beato- 
rum Apostolorum ac Marty- 
rum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, 
Andrese, Jacobi, Joannis, Tho- 
mae, Jacobi, Philippi, Bar- 
tholomaei, Matthaei, Simonis, 
et Thaddaei: Lini, Cleti, de- 
mentis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypri- 
ani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, 
Joannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Da- 
miani: et omnium Sanctorum 
tuorum ; quorum meritis pre- 
cibusque concedas, ut in om- 
nibus protectionis tuae munia- 
mur auxilio. Per eumdem 
Christum Dominum nostrum. 



Communicating with, and 
honoring in the first place the 
memory of the glorious and 
ever Virgin Mary, Mother of 
our Lord and God Jesus Christ: 
as also of the blessed Apostles 
and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, 
Andrew, James, John, Thom- 
as, James, Philip, Bartholo- 
mew, Matthew, Simon and 
Thaddeus, Linus, Cletus, Cle- 
ment, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyp- 
rian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, 
John and Paul, Cosmas and 
Damian, and of all Thy Saints; 
by whose merits and prayers 
grant that we may be always 
defended by the help of Thy 
protection. Through the same 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Amen. 

Spreading his hands over the oblations, and then blessing them : 



Hanc igitur oblationem 
servitutis nostrae, sed et cunctae 
familiae tuae, quaesumus Do- 
mine, ut placatus accipias : 
diesque nostros in tua pace 
disponas, atque ab aeterna 
damnatione nos eripi, et in 
electorum tuorum jubeas gre- 
ge numerari. Per Christum 
Dominum nostrum. Amen. 

Quam oblationem tu, Deus, 
in omnibus, quaesumus bene- 



We therefore beseech Thee, 
O Lord, graciously to accept 
this oblation of our service, as 
also of Thy whole family ; dis- 
pose our days' in Thy peace ; 
command us to be delivered 
from eternal damnation, and 
to be numbered in the flock 
of Thy elect. Through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Which oblation do Thou, O 
God, vouchsafe in all things to 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



12^ 



dic^J^tam, adscrip ►J^ tam, ra- 
•J^ tam, rationabilem, accepta- 
bilemque facere digneris : ut 
nobis cor ^J^ pus et san«^guis 
fiat dilectissimi Filii tui Domi- 
ni nostri Jesu Christi. 



make bless ^ed, ap ^proved, 
rat ^ ified, reasonable and ac- 
ceptable, that it may become to 
us the »^ body and ►J^ blood of 
Thy most beloved Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 



At the Consecration. 

Qui pridie quam pateretur, 
accepit panem in sanctas ac 
venerabiles manus suas, et 
elevatis oculis in coelum ad 
te Deum Patrem suum omni- 
potentem, tibi gratias agens, 
benedixit, fregit, deditquedis- 
cipulis suis, dicens : Accipite, 
et manducate ex hoc omnes. 

Hoc EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM. 

Simili mo do postquam 
coenatum est, accipiens et hunc 
praeclarum calicem in sanctas 
ac venerabiles manus suas : 
item tibi gratias agens, bene- 
dixit, deditque discipulis suis, 
dicens : Accipite et bibite ex 
eo omnes. Hic est enim calix 

SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET iETERNI 
TESTAMENTI I MYSTERIUM FIDEI: 
QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MULTIS 
EFFUNDETUR IN REMISSIONEM 
PECCATORUM. 

Hsec quotiescunque feceri- 
tis, in mei memoriam facietis. 



Who the day before He suf- 
ered, took bread into His holy 
and venerable hands and with 
His eyes lifted up towards 
heaven, to God, His almighty 
Father, giving thanks to Thee, 
did bless, break, and give it to 
His disciples, saying : Take, 
and eat ye all of this : For 
THIS IS My body. 

In like manner, after He 
had supped, taking also this 
excellent chalice into His 
holy and venerable hands, and 
giving Thee thanks, He blessed, 
and gave it to His disciples, say- 
ing : Take, and drink ye all of 

this : FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE 
OF My BLOOD, OF THE NEW AND 
ETERNAL TESTAMENT : THE MYS- 
TERY OF FAITH : WHICH SHALL BE 



SHED FOR YOU, AND FOR MANY, 
UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS. 

As often as ye do these 
things, ye shall do them in 
remembrance of Me. 



124 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



Extending his hands, he proceeds . 



Unde et memores, Domine, 
nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua 
sancta, ejusdem Christi Filii 
tui Domini nostri tain beatae 
I passionis, nee non et ab inferis 
resurrectionis, sed et in coelos 
gloriosae ascensionis : offeri- 
mus praeclarae majestati tuae 
de tuis donis ac datis, Hosti- 
am ^ puram, Hostiam ^ 
sanctam, Hostiam ^ imma- 
culatam, panem ^ sanctum 
vitse seternse, et Calicem ^ sa- 
lutis perpetuae. 

Supra quae propitio ac se- 
reno vultu respicere digneris : 
et accepta habere, sicuti ac- 
cepta habere dignatus es mu- 
nera pueri tui justi Abel, et 
sacrificium Patriarchae nostri 
Abrahae, et quod tibi obtulit 
summus sacerdos tuus Melchi- 
sedech, sanctum sacrificium, 
immaculatam hostiam. 

Supplices te rogamus, om- 
nipotens Deus : jube haec per- 
ferri per manus sancti Angeli 
tui in sublime altare tuum, in 
conspectu divin^e majestatis 
tuae : ut quotquot ex hac al- 



Wherefore, O Lord, we 
Thy servants, as also Thy 
holy people, calling to mind 
the blessed passion of the 
same Christ, Thy Son, our 
Lord, His resurrection from 
hell, and glorious ascension 
into heaven, offer unto Thy 
most excellent Majesty, of 
Thy gifts and grants, a pure ^ 
Host, a holy ^ Host, an im- 
maculate ^ Host, the holy ^ 
bread of eternal life, and the 
chalice ►J^ of everlasting sal- 
vation. 

Upon which vouchsafe to 
look with a propitious and se- 
rene countenance, and to ac- 
cept them, as Thou wast gra- 
ciously pleased to accept the 
gifts of Thy just servant Abel, 
and the sacrifice of our Patri- 
arch Abraham, and that which 
Thy high priest Melchisedech 
offered to Thee, a holy sacri- 
fice, an immaculate host. 

We most humbly beseech 
Thee, Almighty God, com- 
mand these things to be car- 
ried by the hands of Thy holy 
angel to Thy altar on high, in 
the sight of Thy divine Ma- 



taris participatione sacrosanc- jesty, that as many of us as. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



12 = 



turn Filii tui ^ Corpus et 4* 
Sanguinem sumpserimus, om- 
ni benedictione coelesti et gra- 
tia repleamur. Per eumdem 
Christum Dominum nostrum. 
Amen. 



by participation at this altar, 
shall receive the most sacred 
*J< Body and i^ Blood of Thy 
Son, may be filled with all 
heavenly benediction and 
grace. Through the same 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Commemoration of the dead. 



Memento etiam, Domine, 
famulorum famularumque tua- 
rum N. et N. , qui nos praeces- 
serunt cum signo fidei, et dor- 
miunt in somno pacis. 

Ipsis, Domine, et omni- 
bus in Christo quiescenti- 
bus, locum refrigerii, lucis et 
pacis, ut indulgeas, depreca- 
mur. Per eumdem Christum 
Dominum nostrum. Amen. 



Be mindful, O Lord, of 
Thy servants and handmaids 
N. and N., who are gone be- 
fore us, with the sign of faith, 
and sleep in the sleep of peace. 

To these, O Lord, and to 
all that rest in Christ, grant, 
we beseech Thee, a place of 
refreshment, light and peace. 
Through the same Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



Striking his breast, he continues : 
Nobis quoque peccatoribus And to us sinners. Thy ser- 



famulis tuis, de multitudine 
miserationum tuarum speran- 
tibus, partem aliquam et socie- 
tatem donare digneris, cum 
tuis Sanctis apostolis et mar- 
tyribus : cum Joanne, Ste- 
phano, Matthia, Barnaba, 
Ignatio, Alexandro, Marcelli- 
no, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, 
Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Caeci- 
lia, Anastasia, et omnibus 



vants, hoping in the multitude 
of Thy mercies, vouchsafe to 
grant some part and fellowship 
with Thy holy Apostles and 
Martyrs ; with John, Stephen, 
Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, 
Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, 
Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, 
Lucy, Agnes, Cecily, Anasta- 
sia, and with all Thy saints : 
into whose company we be- 



126 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



Sanctis tuis : intra quorum 
nos consortium, non aestima- 
tor meriti, sed venise, quaesu- 
mus^ largitor admitte. Per 
Christum Dominum nostrum. 

Per quern haec omnia, Do- 
mine, semper bona creas, 
sancti ^ ficas, vivi ^J< ficas, 
bene ^ dicis, et praestas nobis. 

Per ^ ipsum, et cum ^J^ ip- 
so, et in ^ ipso, est tibi Deo 
Patri ^ omnipotenti, in uni- 
tate Spiritus ^ sancti, omnis 
honor et gloria. 

S. Per omnia saecula saecu- 
lorum. 

M. Amen. 



seech Thee to admit us, not 
considering our merit, but 
freely pardoning our oifenses. 
Through Christ our Lord. 

By whom, O Lord, Thou 
dost alA'ays create, sanctify, ►J^ 
quicken, ^ bless, ^and give 
us all these good things. 

Through Him, ^J^ and with 
Him, ►J^ and in Him, ^ is to 
Thee, God the Father ^ al- 
mighty in the unity of the 
Holy ^ Ghost, all honor and 
glory. 

P. For ever and ever. 

A, Amen. 



Or emus. 

S. Praeceptis salutaribus 
moniti, et divina institutione 
formati, audemus dicere : 

Pater noster, qui es in coelis : 
sanctificetur nomen tuum : 
adveniat regnum tuum : fiat 
voluntas tua sicut .in coelo, et 
in terra. Panem nostrum 
quotidianum da nobis hodie : 
et dimitte nobis debita nostra, 
sicut et nos dimittimus debi- 
toribus nostris. Et ne nos 
inducas in tentationem. 



Lei us pray. 

P. Instructed by Thysaving 
precepts, and following Thy 
divine institution, we presume 
to say: 

Our Father, who art in 
heaven, hallowed be Thy 
name : Thy kingdom come : 
Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day 
our daily bread : and forgive 
us our trespasses, as we forgive 
them that trespass against us. 
And lead us not into tempta- 
tion. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



127 



M. Sed libera nos a malo. 

S, Amen. 

Libera nos, qusesumus Do- 
mine, ab omnibus malis, prae- 
teritis, praesentibus, et futuris : 
et intercedente beata et glorio- 
sa semper Virgine Dei Geni- 
f trice Maria, cum beatis Apos- 
tolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque 
Andrea, et omnibus Sanctis, 
da propitius pacem in diebus 
nostris : ut ope misericordiae 
tuae adjuti, et a peccato simus 
semper liberi, et ab omni per- 
turbatione securi. 

Per eumdem Dominum nos- 
trum Jesum Christum Filium 
tuum, qui tecum vivit et reg- 
nat in unitate Spiritus sancti 
Deus : 

S. Per omnia saecula saecu- 
lorum. 

M. Amen. 

S, Pax Domini sit semper 
vobiscum. 

M, Et cum spiritu tuo. 

S. Haec commixtio et con- 
secratio Corporis et Sanguinis 
Domini nostri Jesu Christi, fiat 
accipientibus nobis in vitam 
aeternam. Amen. 



A. But deliver us from evil. 

P. Amen. 

Deliver us, we beseech, 
Thee, O Lord, from all evils, 
past, present, and to come : 
and by the intercession of the 
blessed and glorious Mar}, 
ever Virgin, Mother of God, 
together with Thy blessed 
Apostles Peter and Paul, and 
Andrew, and all the Saints 
mercifully grant peace in our 
days : that by the assistance of 
Thy mercy we may be always 
free from sin, and secure from 
all disturbance. 

Through the same Jesus 
Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, 
who liveth and reigneth with 
Thee in the unitv of the Holy 
Ghost, God, 

P, World without end. 

A, Amen. 

P, May the peace of the 
Lord be always with you. 
A. And with thy spirit. 

P, May this commixture 
and consecration of the Body 
and Blood of our Lord Jesus 
Christ be to us that receive it 
unto eternal life. Amen. 



128 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMA TIOK 



Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- 
cata mundi : miserere nobis. 

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- 
cata mundi : miserere nobis. 

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pecca- 
ta mundi : dona nobis pacem. 



Lamb of God, who 
away the sins of the 
have mercy on us. 

Lamb of God, who 
away the sins of the 
have mercy on us. 

Lamb of God, who 
away the sins of the 
grant us peace. 



takest 
world, 

takest 
world, 

takest 
world. 



Before the Communion. 
Domine Jesu Christe, qui 



dixisti Apostolis tuis : Pacem 
relinquo vobis, pacem meam 
do vobis : ne respicias pec- 
cata mea, sed fidem Ecclesiae 
tuae : eamque secundum vo- 
luntatem tuam pacificare et 
coadunare digneris. Qui vivis 
et regnas Deus, per omnia sae- 
cula saeculorum. Amen. 

Domine Jesu Christe, Fili 
Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate Pa- 
tris, cooperante Spiritu sancto, 
per mortem tuam mundum 
vivificasti : libera me per hoc 
sacrosanctum Corpus et San- 
guinem tuum ab omnibus ini- 
quitatibus meis, et universis 
malis : et fac me tuis semper 
inhaerere mandatis, et a te nun- 
quam separari permittas. Qui 
cum eodem Deo Patre et Spi- 
ritu sancto vivis et regnas 



Lord Jesus Christ, who 
saidst to Thy Apostles : Peace 
I leave with you, My peace 
I give unto you : regard not 
my sins, but the faith of Thy 
Church : and vouchsafe to it 
that peace and unity which is 
agreeable to Thy will. Who 
livest and reignest God for 
ever and ever. Amen. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of 
the living God, who, accord- 
ing to the will of the Father, 
through the co-operation of 
the Holy Ghost, hast by Thy 
death given life to the world : 
deliver me by this Thy most 
sacred Body and Blood from 
all my iniquities and from all 
evils, and make me always ad- 
here to Thy commandments, 
and never suffer me to be sep- 
arated from Thee : who with 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 



129 



Deus in saecula saeculorum. 
Amen. 

Perceptio Corporis tui, Do- 
mine Jesu Christe, quod ego 
indignus sumere praesumo, 
non mihi proveniat in judici- 
um et condemnationem : sed 
pro tua pietate prosit mihi ad 
tutamentum mentis et corporis, 
et ad medelam percipiendam. 
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo 
Patre, in unitate Spiritus sancti 
Deus, per omnia saecula saecu- 
lorum. Amen. 

Panem coelestem accipiam, 
et nomen Domini invocabo. 



the same God the Father and 
Holy Ghost livest and reignest 
God,for ever and ever. Amen. 

Let not the participation of 
Thy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, 
which I, unworthy, presume 
to receive, turn to my judg- 
ment and condemnation : but 
through Thy goodness may it 
be to me a safeguard and rem- 
edy, both of soul and body. 
Who livest and reignest with 
God the Father, in the unity 
of the Holy Ghost, God, for 
ever and ever. Amen. 

I will take the bread of 
heaven, and call upon the 
name of the Lord. 



Striking his breast three times^ he repeats as often : 
Domine, non sum dignus Lord, I am not worthy that 



ut intres sub tectum meum : 
sed tantum die verbo, et sana- 
bitur anima mea. 



Thou shouldst enter under my 
roof : say but the word, and 
my soul shall be healed. 



The Communion, 



Corpus Domini nostri Jesu 
Christi custodiat a n i m a m 
meam in vitam aeternam. 
Amen. 

Quid retribuam Domino pro 
omnibus quae retribuit mihi } 
Calicem salutaris accipiam, et 
nomen Domini invocabo, 



May the Body of our Lord 
Jesus Christ preserve my soul 
to life everlasting. Amen. 

What shall I render to the 
Lord for all He hath rendered 
unto me ? I will take the 
Chalice of salvation, and call 



I30 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 



Laudans invocabo Dominum, 
et ab inimicis meis salvus ero. 



Sanguis Domini nostri Jesu 
Christi custodiat a n i m a m 
meam in vitam seternam. 
Amen. 

Quod ore sumpsimus, Do- 
mine, pura mente capiamus : 
et de munere temporali fiat 
nobis remedium sempiternum. 

Corpus tuum, Domine, quod 
sumpsi, et Sanguis quem po- 
tavi, adhaereat visceribus meis: 
et praesta, ut in me non rema- 
neat scelerum macula, quem 
pura et sancta refecerunt sacra- 
menta. Qui vivis et regnas in 
saecula saeculorum. Amen. 



upon the name of the Lord. 
Praising I will call upon the 
Lord, and I shall be saved 
from my enemies. 

May the Blood of our Lord 
Jesus Christ preserve my soul 
to life everlasting. Amen. 

May we receive with a 
pure mind, O Lord, what we 
have taken with our mouth : 
and of a temporal gift may it be- 
come to us an eternal remedy. 

May Thy Body, O Lord, 
which I have received, and 
Thy Blood which I have drunk, 
cleave to my bowels : and 
grant that no stain of sin may 
remain in me, whom pure 
and holy sacraments have 
refreshed. Who livest and 
reignest world without end. 
Amen. 



The Priest goes to the book and reads the so-called 
Communio7i. 



Act. Ap. a, Factus est re- 
pente de coelo sonus tamquam 
advenientis spiritus vehemen- 
tis, ubi erant sedentes, Alle- 
luia : et repleti sunt omnes 
Spiritu sancto loquentes mag- 
nalia Dei, Alleluia, Alleluia. 



Acts 2. There came sudden- 
ly a sound from heaven as a 
mighty wind coming, where 
they were sitting. Alleluia ; 
and they were all filled with 
the Holy Ghost, speaking the 
w onderful works of God, Alle- 
luia, Alleluia. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



131 



S. Dominus vobiscum. P, The Lord be with you. 

M, Et cum spiritu tuo. A. And with thy spirit. 

Posi-Communion. 



Sancti Spiritus, Domine, 
corda nostra mundet infusio : 
et sui roris intima aspersione 
foecundet. Per Dominum 
nostrum Jesum Christum Fili- 
um tuum, qui tecum vivit et 
regnat in unitate ejusdem Spiri- 
tus sancti Deus per omnia 
saecula saeculorum. 

M. Amen. 

S, Dominus vobiscum. 

M, Et cum spiritu tuo. 

S. Ite missa est ; 

M, Deo gratias. 

S. Placeat tibi, sancta Tri- 
nitas, obsequium servitutis 
meae: etprsesta, utsacrificium, 
quod oculis tuae majestatis 
indignus obtuH, tibi sit accep- 
tabile, mihique, et omnibus 
pro quibus illud obtuH, sit, te 
miserante, propitiabile. Per 
Christum Dominum nostrum. 
Amen. 



May the infusion of the Holy 
Spirit cleanse our hearts, O 
Lord, and render them fruitful 
by the inward sprinkling of His 
dew. Through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Thy Son, who liveth 
and reigneth with Thee in the 
unity of the same Holy Ghost 
world without end. 

A, Amen. 

P. The Lord be with you. 

A. And with thy spirit. 

P, Go, the Mass is ended. 

A. Thanks be to God. 

P. O holy Trinity, let the 
homage of my service be 
pleasing to Thee, and grant 
that the sacrifice which I, un- 
worthy, have oifered up in the 
sight of Thy Majesty, may 
be acceptable to Thee, and 
through Thy mercy be a pro- 
pitiation for me, and all those 
for whom I have offered it. 
Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Ai the last Blessing, 



Benedicat vos omnipotens 
Deus, Pater, ^ et Filius, et 
Spiritus Sanctus. Amen. 



May Almighty God, the Fa- 
ther, Son, »{* and Holy Ghost, 
bless you. Amen. 



132 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



At the last 
S. Dominus vobiscum. 
M. Et cum spiritu tuo. 
S. Initium ^ sancti Evan- 
gelii secundum Joannem. 

M. Gloria tibi, Domine. 

In principio erat Verbum, 
et Verbum erat apud Deum, 
et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc 
erat in principio apud Deum. 
Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, 
et sine ipso factum est nihil 
quod factum est. In ipso vita 
erat, et vita erat lux hominum: 
et lux in tenebris lucet, et 
tenebrae eam non comprehen- 
derunt. Fuit homo missus a 
Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. 
Hie venit in testimonium, ut 
testimonium perhiberet de 
lumine, ut omnes crederent 
per ilium. Non erat ille lux, 
sed ut testimonium perhiberet 
de lumine. Erat lux vera, 
quae illuminat omnem homi- 
nem venientem in hunc mun- 
dum. In mundo erat, et mun- 
dus per ipsum factus est, et 
munduseum non cognovit. In 
propria venit, et sui eum non 
receperunt. Quotquot autem 
receperunt eum, dedit eis po^ 



Gospel. 

P, The Lord be with you. 

A. And with thy spirit. 

P, The beginning ^ of the 
holy Gospel according to St. 
John. (i. 1-14.) 

A. Glory be to Thee, O 
Lord. 

In the beginning was the 
Word, and the Word was with 
God, and the Word was God. 
The same was in the begin- 
ning with God. All things 
were made by Him : and with- 
out Him was made nothing 
that was made. In Him was 
life, and the life was the light 
of men : and the light shineth 
in darkness^ and the dark- 
ness did not comprehend it. 
There was a man sent from 
God, whose name was John. 
This man came for a witness, 
to give testimony of the light, 
that all men might believe 
through him. He was not 
the light, but was to give testi- 
mony of the light. That was 
the true light which enlighten- 
eth every man that cometh 
into this world. He was in 
the world, and the world was 
made by Him, and the world 
knew Him not. He came 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 



m 



testatem filios Dei fieri : his 
qui credunt in nomine ejus : 
qui non ex sanguinibus, neque 
ex voluntate carnis, neque ex 
voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati 
sunt. Et Verbum card fac- 
tum EST \hic genuflectitur\ et 
habitavit in nobis : et vidimus 
gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi 
Unigeniti a Patre, plenum 
gratiae et veritatis. 
M, Deo gratias. 



into His own, and His own 
received Him not. But as 
many as received Him, to 
them He gave power to 
become the sons of God : to 
those that believe in His name, 
who are born not of blood, 
nor of the will of the flesh, 
nor of the will of man, but of 
God. And the Word was 
MADE FLESH [here the people 
genuflect^ and dwelt among 
US ; and we saw His glory, 
the glory, as it were, of the 
Only-begotten of the Father, 
full of grace and truth. 
A. Thanks be to God. 



prayer after mass. 

O most adorable Spirit of the Father and the Son, who pro- 
ceedest from Both, and with Both art adored and glorified, gra- 
ciously accept the tribute of praise, adoration and thanksgiving 
which I have just rendered Thee by the offering of this sacrifice 
of the body and blood of my dear Saviour Jesus Christ. Deign 
to receive, O Holy Ghost, my unworthy prayers, pardon all 
my wanderings of mind, forgive me my failings, supply all my 
defects, purify all my afl'ections ; grant that I may now be endued 
with the fulness of Thy gifts by that special Sacrament which I 
am about to receive this day : may I hope, in virtue of these 
divine mysteries, to so dispose my soul as to become the living 
temple of Thy divine presence, that henceforth I may walk 
firmly and courageously in the path of Thy commandments, 
in the service of my beloved Master and Chief. 

Thou wilt imprint on my soul the sacred character of a sol- 



134 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

dier of Christ, to brave the temptations, dangers and battles of 
my pilgrimage here below, till I arrive happily at the term of my 
earthly life in Thy heavenly kingdom, where, with all the elect, 
saints and angels, I shall contemplate Thee, more perfectly enjoy 
Thee, and more worthily celebrate Thy infinite goodness and 
mercy, with unceasing canticles of everlasting adoration, praise, 
and gratitude. 

Happy are they who dwell in Thy house, O Lord ! forever 
and ever will they praise Thee. 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive honor, glory and 
power. 

Praise the Lord^ O my soul ! for His mercy is everlasting. 

Who shall relate the wonders of the Lord ? Who shall pub- 
lish His praises? 

O God, of whose mercies there is no number, and the treas- 
ure of whose goodness is infinite, we humbly thank Thy most 
gracious Majesty for the favors Thou hast bestowed on us, ever 
beseeching Thy clemency, that as Thou grantest our requests 
when we humbly ask Thee, so Thou wilt not forsake us, but 
dispose us for the rewards of time to come. Through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, descend upon me, and dwell in my heart forever. Amen. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 135 

IV. 

NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE HOLY GHOST. ^ 



FIRST DA Y. 

THE FRUITS OF CHARITY AND JOY. 

Veni Creator, 

Come, Holy Ghost ! Creator, come ! 
The darkness of our minds illume ; 
Thy children's hearts, O God, inspire. 
And lighten with celestial fire. 

Thou that art named the Paraclete, 
The gift of God, His Spirit sweet ; 
The Living Fountain, Fire and Love, 
And gracious Unction from above. 

Of God's Right Hand the Finger Thou, 
Who dost Thy sevenfold grace bestow ; 
True Promise of the Father, rich 
Li gift of tongues and various speech. 

Enable with perpetual light 
The dulness of our blinded sight ; 
Our hearts with heavenly love fulfill 
To walk Thy way and do Thy will. 



1 Note. — During the preparatory instructions for Confirmation, it be- 
hooves all to excite within their hearts those affections and sentiments 
which must follow the salutary teachings received, and to put into practice 
the lessons that have been placed before the minds of those disposing them- 
selves for the great sacrament of the Holy Ghost. The above Novena 
may serve this purpose. It need not be said that the pastors whose duty 
it is to give those instructions, may so arrange the following exercises that 
all take an active part therein by responding loudly together before and 
after each instruction. To facilitate this fruitful work, the *' Little Manual 
of Confirmation," especially compiled for classes of Confirmation, should 
be in the hands of all. 



136 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

Stablish our weakness, and refresh 
With fortitude our fainting flesh ; 
Keep far our foes, give peace at home ; 
Where Thou art guide no ill can come. 

Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And Thee, of Both, to be but One, 
That through the ages all along 
This faith may be our endless song. 

To God the Father laud and praise. 
And to the Son, whom He did raise. 
And to the Holy Spirit be — 
Now and for all eternity. 

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 
Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to 
obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy 
Ghost, Charity and Joy. 

Our Father, Hail Alary. 

PRAYER. 

O Most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, we adore Thee with all 
humility ; and with the most lively affections of our hearts we 
beseech Thee to assist us in this Thy Novena, that we may 
rightly prepare ourselves to receive Thy heavenly gifts. We 
cannot, O Divine Spirit, receive Thee without Thine own aid 
preventing us. Without Thee we cannot please Thee. Do 
Thou then, who preparedst the Heart of Mary to receive the 
Word Incarnate, vouchsafe so to dispose our hearts that we may 
happily conceive the blessed flames of Thy love. Amen. 

HYMN. 

O let us fall and worship Him, 

The love of Sire and Son, 
The Consubstantial Breath of God, 

The Co-^ternal One \ 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 137 

Ah I see how like the Incarnate Word, 
His blessed Self He lowers, 
To dwell with us invisibly, 
And make His riches ours. 

Most loving Spirit ! Mighty God ! 

Sweet must Thy Presence be, 
If loss of Jesus can be gain, 
So long as we have Thee ! * 

Antiphon. Come, Holy Spirit ! Fill the hearts of Thy 
faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. 

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. 
R, And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. 

Let us pray. 

Burn, O Lord ! with the fire of the Holy Spirit our reins 
and our hearts, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, 
and please Thee with a clean heart. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, Son, and 
Holy Ghost, descend upon us, and abide with us always. 
Amen. 



SECOND DA V. 

THE FRUITS OF PEACE AND PATIENCE. 

Vem Creator, See page 135. 

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 
Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to 



1 " It is expedient to you that I go : for if I go not, the Paraclete will 
not come to you : but if I go, I will send Him to you." St. John, xvi. 7. 



138 MANUAL OF COKFlRiMATIOK, 

obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy 
Ghost, Peace and Patience. 

Otir Faihei', Hail Ma?y. 

PRAYER. 

O sweetest and most dear Mother Mary, behold us at thy 
feet, and having kissed them a thousand times with the lips of our 
hearts, we humbly implore of thee a favor, more needful for us 
than all else in the world besides. Since thou art the Spouse 
of the Holy Ghost, the dispenser of His treasures, and His sweet 
Stewardess — since thou hast been enriched beyond all other 
creatures with His heavenly gifts, obtain for us, as thou didst 
obtain it for the Apostles, His coming into our hearts ; and for 
this end obtain for us the grace to imitate, so far as in us lies, 
the examples of thy humility, thy purity, and thy charity. 
Amen. 

Hymn, Ant., V. and R. as c n pages 136-137. 

Let us pray. 

O God, to whom every heart is open and every will speak- 
eth, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts 
of our hearts by the infusion of the Holy Ghost, that we may 
perfectly love Thee and worthily praise Thee. Through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

May the blessing, etc. See page 137. 



THIRD DA V, 
THE FRUITS OF BENIGNITY AND GOODNESS. 

Veni Creator. See page 135. 

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 
Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 



Various devotions. 139 

Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to 
obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy 
Ghost, Benignity and Goodness. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. 

PRAYER. 

Most holy Prince of the Apostles, blessed St. Peter ! behold 
us at thy feet to implore thine aid in obtaining the Holy Spirit. 
We, indeed, have been unfaithful to our Redeemer, not three 
times only, as thouwert, but thousands and thousands of times; 
so that we could not hope that the spotless Dove would vouch- 
safe to sully His plumage in souls stained with so many sins ; 
yet thine example, blessed Apostle, gives us boldness. Thou 
didst weep bitterly, and with thy tears wert so cleansed as to 
receive all the gifts of the Divine Paraclete. We, too, desire to 
bewail our sins with bitterest grief like thine, while we humbly 
implore thine intercession to obtain for us, first of all, cleanness 
of heart, and then the gift of the Holy Ghost, for which we 
yearn most earnestly. Amen. 

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136-137. 

Lei us pray 

O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful by the 
light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to think 
the things that be right, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. 
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

May the blessing, etc. See page 137. 

FOURTH DAY. 

THE FRUITS OF LONGANIMITY AND MILDNESS. 

Vent Crealor. See page 135. 
Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 



I4C MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to 
obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy 
Ghost, Longanimity and Mildness. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. 

PRAYER. 

O blessed and happy Apostles of our Lord ! who in the 
Upper Room did receive the Holy Spirit with such fulness, that 
ye were sweetly inebriated with divine love ; we congratulate 
you with the most humble and lively affections, and contem- 
plate your graces with a holy envy. We beseech you, by that 
love which ye bear to the Holy Spirit, who thus filled you with 
His special benedictions, obtain for us efficacious aid rightly to 
practice that brotherly concord, that continual prayer, and that 
tender devotion to Mary, whereby we can obtain, even as ye 
obtained it, the coming of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Hymn, Ant., V. and R., see pages 136-137. 

Let us pray. 

May the infusion of Thy Holy Spirit, O Lord, purify our 
hearts, and by the inward sprinkling of His gracious dew make 
them fertile in all good works. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

FIFTH DA V. 

THE FRUITS OF FAITH AND MODESTY. 

Veni Creator, See page 135. 

Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 
Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 141 

Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to 
obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy 
Ghost, Faith and Modesty. 

Our Father, Hail Mary. 

PRAYER. 

O Eternal Father ! how shall we ever bless and praise Thee 
sufficiently, or thank Thy goodness as we ought ! A thousand 
times blessed be Thine infinite Charity, Thine infinite Provi- 
dence, and Thine infinite Mercy, which moved Thee to repair 
our miseries, and to give unto us a Gift, wherein is contained 
all the good that proceedeth from Thee ! Thou hast given us 
Thy Son, who proceedeth from Thee as Thy Word ! Thou hast 
given us also the Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from Thy Will, 
as Thine uncreated Love ! What can we seek for more? and 
what shall we give unto Thee for so great a gift ? O Lord ! 
vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, of Thy clemency, to take for Thine 
own all our understanding, all our will, all ourselves, and that 
little all for all eternity. Amen. 

Hymn, Ant, V. and R., see pages 136-137. 

Let us pray. 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the Paraclete, who proceed- 
eth from Thee, may enlighten our minds, and, according to the 
promise of Thy Son, may lead us into all truth. Through the 
same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

May the blessing, etc., see page 137. 



SIXTH DA V. 

THE FRUITS OF CONTINENCE AND CHASTITY. 

Fern Creator, See page 135. 
Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 



1 4 1 MA XUA L OF CON FIR MA TION. 

Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, to 
obtain, by the merits of Jesus Ascended, the Fruits of the Holy 
Ghost, Continence and Chastity. 

Our Father, Hail Mary. 

PRAYER. 

Most Holy, most Divine Spirit ! if there be any souls in the 
world more needful of Thine aid than others, it is surely ours, 
blinded by our passions, chilled with an obstinate lukewarm- 
ness, and defiled by a thousand imperfections. Come then, O 
Divine Spirit ! come and enlighten us ; kindle our fervor, and 
destroy in us all that is displeasing in Thy sight. The greater 
our miseries are, so much the more glorious will be Thy 
triumph over our perversity. Come, and create in us new hearts, 
which shall have all for God, and nothing for the w^orid. Create 
in us a clean heart, O God. Amen. 

Hymn, Ant, V. and R., see pages 136-137. 

Let us pray. 

Grant unto Thy Church, O merciful God, that she, being 
gathered together in the Holy Spirit, may be in no w^ise dis- 
turbed by the incursions of her enemies. Through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

May the blessing, etc. See page 137. 

I 
SEVENTH DAY. 

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST UPON MARY AT THE 
ANNUNCIATION. 

Veni Creator. See page 135. 
Let us prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 143 

Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, in 
honor of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the ever-blessed 
Mother of God in the Annunciation. 

Our Father', Hail Mary. 

PRAYER. 

Most Divine Spirit, the Paraclete ! we hardly dare to beseech 
Thee to come into our souls, knowing well how sinful and de- 
filed they are. It seems an intolerable boldness to invite God, 
yea ! no less a one than God, to be a guest in a lodging so un- 
clean. Yet Thou vouchsafest graciously to reassure us by that 
infinite goodness of Thine, whereby Thou dost dispose with 
Thy prevenient graces those hearts which Thou condescendest 
to honor w^ith Thy presence. Thou disappointest not the de- 
sires of those who ardently sigh for Thee, and are continually 
waiting for Thee. O blessed Spirit ! we sigh for Thee with the 
most lively affections. Deign to come into us, and delay not 
Thy gracious coming, while we cease not calling upon Thee 
and beseeching Thee to console us with Thy long-expected 
coming. Amen. 

Hymn, Ant.,V. and R., see pages 136-137. 

Let us pray. 

We beseech Thee of Thy goodness, O Lord, to pour into our 
minds the Holy Spirit, by whose wisdom we were created, and 
by whose providence w^e are ruled. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

May the blessing, etc. See page 137. 



144 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

EIGHTH DA V. 
THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST UPON JESUS AT THE JORDAN. 

Veni Creator, See page 135. 

Let US prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 
Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those ol our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, in 
honor of the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus at the 
Jordan. 

Our Father. Hail Mary, 

PRAYER. 

Most adorable Trinity ! we venture with all humility and awe 
to approach the lofty throne of Thine exalted Majesty ; with 
our heads prostrate in the dust we adore Thee, and give Thee 
endless thanks for the immense blessings which Thou hast be- 
stowed upon us miserable men. We thank Thee, O Eternal 
Father, and Thee, O Divine Son, for the gift which Ye have 
given us of the Holy Ghost ; for in giving us Your Love, who 
proceedeth from You, Ye have given us Yourselves. We thank 
Thee, O Holy Ghost, who art at once the Gift and the Giver of 
all gifts, and we most earnestly beseech Thee to give us Thy- 
self. No other gift but Thine Own Self can satisfy our souls; 
and having Thee alone, we shall have all things. But what can 
we give Thee in exchange for so great benefits } O Blessed 
Spirit ! vouchsafe of Thy mercy to accept for all eternity all our 
thoughts, all oar affections, and all ourselves. Amen. 

Hymn, Ant, V. and R., see pages 136-137. 

Let us pray. 

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may burn with 
that fire of the Holy Ghost, which our Lord Jesus Christ sent 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 145 

upon the earth, and which He desired to be vehemently enkin- 
dled. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 
May the blessing, etc., see page 137. 

NINTH DA V. 

THE TRANSFIGURATION AND ASCENSION OF OUR LORD, AND THE 
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

Veni Creator, Seepage 135. 

Let US prostrate ourselves before the Majesty of the Most 
Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our 
Blessed Lady and the Holy Apostles in the Upper Room at 
Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, in 
honor of the Transfiguration and Ascension of our Most dear 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the ineffable love of the 
Holy Ghost in all His manifestations to His creatures. 
Our Father. Hail Mary, 

PRAYER. 

Most Holy Virgin, and exalted Mother of God, who wast 
above all other creatures disposed to receive the Holy Ghost, 
and who didst receive Him with greater fulness than all others, 
dispose, we beseech thee, by thy gracious aid, our cold hearts 
for the approaching solemnity of Pentecost. We fly to thee, 
most benignant mother of sinners, that thou mayest obtain for 
us a lively contrition for our sins : so that, although we cannot 
receive the Holy Spirit as innocent, like thyself, yet may we 
receive Him as true penitents, together with those gentile peni- 
tents who received Him in the Upper Room. Grant this, most 
Holy Mother, not for our merits, for we have none, but out of 
thine own exceeding goodness, and that great love which thou 
bearest to the same Blessed Spirit, who hath chosen thee to 
be His Spouse. Amen. 

Hymn, Ant, V. and R., see pages 136-137, 



146 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

Ltt us pray. 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the splendor 
of Thy brightness may shine upon us ; and that the light of 
Thy light may, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, confirm 
the hearts of those who are born again by grace. Through 
Christ our Lord, Amen. 

May the blessing, etc. See page 137. 



V. 

THE OCTAVE OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

FIRST DA Y. 

FOR THE GIFT OF WISDOM. 

Veni Sancie Spiriius. 

Come, Holy Spirit ! from the height 

Of heaven send down Thy blessed light ! 

Come, Father of the friendless poor ! 
Giver of gifts and Light of hearts, 
Come, with that unction which imparts ' 

Such consolations as endure. 

The soul's refreshment and her guest, 
Shelter in heat, in labor rest. 

The sweetest solace in our woe ! 
Come, blissful Light ! O come, and fill. 
In all Thy faithful, heart and will, 

And make our inward fervor glow. 

Where Thou art. Lord ! there is no ill. 
For evil's self Thy light can kill ; 

O may that light on us arise ! 
Come, heal our wounds and clean our stains,^ 
Fountain of grace ! and with Thy rains 

Our barren spirits fertilize. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 147 

First Colloquy. ^ 

O most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete ! we adore Thee as true 
God together with the Father and the Son. We bless Thee with 
the benedictions of the Angels and the Seraphim. We offer 
Thee our whole hearts, and give Thee most fervent thanks for all 
the good which Thou hast done, and art daily doing, to the world. 
Thou art the giver of all supernatural gifts, and Thou didst fill 
with immense graces the soul of Mary, the great Mother of God. 
We beseech Thee also to visit us with Thy grace and with 
Thy love, and especially to grant us the gift of Wisdom, that we 
may know how to direct all our actions to God, as our true and 
last end, that, loving Him and serving Him, as we ought, in this 
life, we may enjoy Him eternally in the life to come. Amen. 

Our Father, Hail Mary. Three Glories, 

Bend with Thy fires our stubborn will. 
And quicken what the world would chill, 

And homeward call the feet that stray ! 
Virtue's reward, and final grace, 
The Eternal Vision, face to face, 

Spirit of love ! for these we pray. 

Come, Holy Spirit ! bid us live ; 
To those who trust Thy mercy give 

Joys that through endless ages flow ; 
Thy various gifts, foretastes of heaven, 
Those that are named Thy wondrous Seven, 

On usj O God of love ! bestow. 

Supplication 

To the Third Person 0/ the Adorable Trinity. 

Most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, Father of the poor, Consoler 
of the afflicted. Light of hearts, and Sanctifier of souls, look 



' The last part of the Colloquy changes with each day. 



1 4 8 MANUA L OF CONFIRM A TIOK 

upon us who lie prostrate in Thy presence, adoring Thee with 
the profoundest worship. A thousand times we bless Thee, and 
with the Seraphim before Thy Throne we cry, Holy ! Holy ! 
Holy ! We firmly believe that Thou art eternal God, Con- 
substantial with the Father and the Son. We hope in Thy good- 
ness, to save and sanctify our souls. We love Thee, O Divine 
Love ! with all our affections, and above all created things ; for 
Thou art infinite Goodness, and alone worthy of all love. How 
ungrateful have we been towards Thee ! how deaf to Thy holy 
inspirations ? how often have w^e ofiended Thee by actual sins ! 
O Blessed Spirit ! we beg pardon of Thee with tears of sorrow, 
and it is our greatest unhappiness to think that we have ever 
ofiended Thee, our chief good. Vouchsafe in Thy pity to ac- 
cept the off'ering of our cold hearts, and to warm them with a 
ray of Thy light, and with a spark of Thy holy fire. O Thou who 
didst fill the soul of the most holy Mary with immense graces, 
and didst inflame with heavenly zeal the hearts of the Apostles, 
kindle in our poor hearts the fervor of Thy love. Thou art the 
Divine Spirit : strengthen us against all evil spirits. Thou art 
Fire : O light up Thy holy love in our hearts. Thou art Light : 
illuminate our minds with the knowledge of eternal things. 
Thou art a Dove : grant to us simplicity of manners. Thou 
art a gentle Wind : dissipate the stormy gusts of our evil pas- 
sions. Thou art a Tongue : teach our tongues to be always 
blessing Thee. Thou art a Cloud : hide us beneath the shadow 
of Thy protection. Thou art the Giver of all heavenly gifts : 
animate us, we beseech Thee, with Thy charity, direct us by 
Thy goodness, and save us by Thy mercy, that we may always 
bless Thee, praise Thee, and most fervently love Thee, on earth 
in time, and then in heaven for all eternity. Amen. 

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. 

Rj And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth, 

F. Lord, hear our prayer. 

R, And let our cry come unto Thee. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 149 

Lef us pray. 

O God, who by the grace of the Holy Ghost didst infuse the 
gifts of charity into the hearts of Thy faithful, grant to all 
Thy sen^ants, for whom we implore Thy clemency, health of 
mind and body ; that they may love Thee with all their 
strength, and with perfect love do the things that are pleasing 
to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

May the Divine assistance remain with us always ; and mav 
the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 
Amen. 



SECOND DAY, 

FOR THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING. 

Veni Sancte Spifihis, 
Come, Holy Spirit ! from the height, etc. See page 146. 

Second Colloquy, 

O most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete ! etc. See page 147. 

We beseech Thee also to visit us with Thy grace and with 
Thy love, and especially to grant us the gift of Understanding, 
that we may be able to penetrate the divine mysteries, and by 
the contemplation of heavenly things detach our thoughts and 
aifections from all the vanities of this miserable world. Amen. 

Our Father, Hail Mary. Three Glories. 

Bend with Thy fires our stubborn will, etc. See page 147. 

Supplication, Versicles and Prayer. See pages 147-148-149. 



1 50 MANUA L OF CONFIRM A TION, 

THIRD DA V. 
FOR THE GIFT OF COUNSEL. 

Vem Sande Spirilus. 
Come, Holy Spirit ! from the height, etc. See page 146. 

Third Colloquy. 

O most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete ! etc. See page 147. 

We beseech Thee also to visit us with Thy grace and with 
Thy love, and especially to grant us the gift of Counsel, that we 
may know how to choose that which is most expedient for our 
spiritual profit, and to detect all the snares and deceits of the 
enemy of our sculs. Amen. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Three Glories. 

Bend with Thy fires our stubborn will, etc. See page 147. 

Supplication, Versicles and Prayer. See pages 147-148-149. 

FOURTH DAY. 
FOR THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE. 

Veni Sande Spirilus. 
Come, Holy Spirit ! from the height, etc. See page 146. 

Fourth Colloquy. 

O most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete ! etc. See page 147. 

We beseech Thee also to visit us with Thy grace and with 
Thy love, and especially to grant us the gift of Fortitude, by 
which we may generously overcome all the designs of the devil 
and all the dangers of the world, and everything which might 
hinder the salvation of our §oul§, Amen, 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 1 5 1 

Our Father, Hail Mary. Three Glories, 

Bend with Thy fires our stubborn will, etc. See page 147. 

Supplication, Versicles and Prayer. See pages 14 7- 14 8- 14 9. 

FIFTH DA V. 

i FOR THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE. 

Veni Sande Spiritus. 
Come, Holy Spirit ! from the height, etc. See page 146. 

Fifth Colloquy. 

O most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete ! etc. See page 147. 

We beseech Thee also to visit us with Thy grace and with 
Thy love, and especially to grant us the gift of Science, that we 
may have a right knowledge of divine things, and by the light 
of Thy holy teaching may walk along the true road of our eter- 
nal salvation. Amen. 

Our Father, Hail Mary. Three Glories. 

Bend with Thy fires our stubborn will, etc. See page 147. 

Supplication, Versicles and Prayer. See pages 147-148-149. 

SIXTH DA Y. 

FOR THE GIFT OF PIETY. 

Veni Sande Spiritus. 
Come, Holy Spirit ! from the height, etc. See page 146. 

Sixth Colloquy. 
O most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete ! etc. See page 147, 



152 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

We beseech Thee also to visit us with Thy grace and with 
Thy love, and especially to grant us the gift of Piety, that for the 
future we may serve Thee more fervently, follow Thy holy in- 
spirations more promptly, and observe Thy divine command- 
ments more exactly. Amen. 

Our Father, Hail Mary. Three Glories. 

Bend with Thy fires our stubborn will, etc. See page 147. 

Supplication, Versicles and Prayer. See pages 14 7- 14 8- 149. 



SEVEN'TH DAY. 
FOR THE GIFT OF HOLY FEAR. 

Veni Sande Spiriius. 
Come, Holy Spirit ! from the height, etc. See page 146. 

Seventh Colloquy. 

O most Holy Spirit, the Paraclete 1 etc. See page 147. 

We beseech Thee also to visit us with Thy grace and with 
Thy love, and especially to grant us the gift of Thy Holy Fear, 
that it may restrain us from relapsing again in those sins for 
which we now implore Thy pardon with all sincerity. Amen. 

Our Father. Hail Mary, Three Glories. 

Bend with Thy fires our stubborn will, etc. See page 147. 

Supplication, Versicles and Prayer. See pages 14 7-1 4 8-1 4 9. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 153 



VI. 
LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST. ^ 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us, 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Holy Ghost, hear us. 
Holy Ghost, graciously hear us. 
God the Father of heaven, 
Have mercy on us. 

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, 
God the Holy Ghost, 
Holy Trinity, one God, 

Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, 
Holy Ghost, co-equal with the Father and the Son, 
Promise of the Father, most loving and most bounteous, ^ 
Gift of the most high God, S 

Ray of heavenly light, i 

Author of all good, ^ 

Source of the living water, ;s 

Consuming Fire, P 

Burning Love, 
Spiritual Unction, 
Spirit of truth and of power, 
Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, 
Spirit of counsel and of fortitude. 
Spirit of knowledge and of piety. 
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, 



For private devotions. May be recited after each day's instruction. 



t54 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

Spirit of compunction and of penance, 

Spirit of grace and of prayer, 

Spirit of charity, peace and joy, 

Spirit of patience, longanimity and goodness, 

Spirit of benignity, mildness and fidelity, 

Spirit of modesty, continence and chastity, 

Spirit of adoption of the sons of God, ' 

Holy Ghost, the Comforter, S^ 

Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, ^ 

Who in the beginning didst move over the waters, ^ 

By whose inspiration spoke the holy men of God, ^ 

Who didst overshadow Mary, ^ 

Who didst accomplish the incarnation of the Son of God, "^ 

Who didst descend upon Him at his baptism, 

\ Who on the day of Pentecost didst appear in fiery tongues, 
By whom we also are born again. 
Who dwellest in us, 
Who governest the Church, 
Who fillest the whole world. 
We sinners, 

Holy Ghost, we beseech Thee to hear us. 

That Thou wouldst renew the face of the earth, ti^ 

That Thou wouldst shed Thy light in our minds, '^ 

That Thou wouldst write Thy law in our hearts, §5 

That Thou wouldst inflame us with the fire of Thy love, jq. 
That Thou wouldst open to us the treasures of Thy grace, | 
That Thou wouldst teach us to ask for them according to ^ 

Thy will, ?^ 

That Thou wouldst enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspir- j^ 

ations, |" 

That Thou wouldst keep us to Thyself by Thy poweiful ^ 

attractions, g* 

That Thou wouldst grant to us the knowledge alone ^ 

necessary, , ^ 



Various devotioKs. 



'DD 



I 



That Thou wouldst help us to love and bear with each ] 
other, 1^ 

That Thou wouldst lead us in the way of Thy command- "^ 
ments, ^ 

That Thou wouldst make us obedient to Thy inspirations, j:^ 
That Thou wouldst teach us to pray, § 

That Thou wouldst Thyself pray in our hearts, ^ 

That Thou wouldst clothe us with love and compassion ^ 
towards our brethren, k^ 

That Thou wouldst inspire us w^ith a horror of evil, ^ 

That Thou wouldst direct us in the practice of good, ^ 
That Thou wouldst give us the grace of all virtues, ^ 

That Thou wouldst cause us to persevere in justice, g 

That Thou wouldst be Thyself our everlasting reward. J 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, 
Grant us Thy Spirit. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, 
Pour down Thy Hnly Spirit upon us. 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world. 
Give unto us the Spirit of peace. 
Holy Ghost hear us, 
Holy Ghost, graciously hear us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
V, Create in us a clean heart, O God. 
R, And renew a right spirit within us. 

LET US PRAY. 

Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy divine Spirit may en- 
lighten, inflame and cleanse our hearts ; that He may penetrate 
us with His heavenly dew, and make us fruitful in good works. 
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 



156 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

Collect on Whit'Monday. 
O God, who didst give the Holy Ghost to Thine Apostles : 
grant to Thy people the fruit of their pious petition ; that to 
whom Thou hast given faith, Thou may est also impart peace. 
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

I Collect on Whit-Tuesday, 

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the power of the Holy 
Ghost may be ever present with us to mercifully purify our hearts 
and defend them from all adversity. Through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

VII. 
ACTS BEFORE CONFIRMATION.^ 

Veni Creator Spiritus, ^ 

Veni Creator Spiritus ! Come, O Creator Spirit blest ! 

Mentes tuorum visita, And in our souls take up Thy 

Imple superna gratia, rest : 

Quae tu creasti pectora. Come, with Thy grace and 

heavenly aid, 
To fill the hearts which Thou 

hast made. 

Qui diceris Paraclitus, Great Paraclete 1 to Thee we 

Altissimi donum Dei, cry ; 

Fonsvivus, ignis, caritas, O highest gift of God most 

Et spiritalis unctio. high ! 

O fount of life ! O fire of love ! 

And sweet anointing from 
above ! 

1 These acts should be made several days before Confirmation. 

2 A few stanzas may be sung by the class as well before as after in 
struction. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



157 



Tu septiformis munere, 
Digitus Paternae dexterae, 
Tu rite promissum Patris, 
Sermone ditans guttura. 



Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art 

known ; 
The finger of God's hand we 

own ; 
The promise of the Father 

Thou! 
Who dost the tongue with 

power endow. 



Accende lumen sensibus, 
Infunde amorem cordibus, 
Infirm a nostri corporis 
Virtute firmans perpeti. 



Kindle our senses from above, 
And make our hearts o'erflow 

with love ; 
With patience firm, and virtue 

high. 
The weakness of our flesh 

supply. 



Hostem repellas longius, 
Pacemque dones protinus ; 
Ductore sic te praevio 
Vitemus omne noxium. 



Far from us drive the foe we 

dread, 
And grant us Thy true peace 

instead ; 
So shall we not, with Thee for 

guide, 
Turn from the path of life aside. 



Per te sciamus da Patrem, 
Noscamus atque Filium, 
Teque utriusque Spiritum 
Credamus omni tempore. 



O, may Thy grace on us be- 
stow 

The Father and the Son to 
know. 

And Thee through endless 
time confessed 

Of both th' eternal Spirit blest. 



t58 MANUAL OF" CONFtRMATIOX, 

^ Deo Patri sit gloria All glory while the ages run 

Et Filio, qui a mortuis Be to the Father, and the Son 

Surrexit, ac Paraclito, Who rose from death ; the 

In saeculorum saecula. same to Thee, 

Amen, O Holy Ghost, eternally. 

Amen, 

I. AdoratioJi and Praise, 

God, the Holy Ghost ! Who proceedest from the Father 
and the Son ; Almighty, most Holy, most Merciful ! I adore 
Thee with the most profound humility and with the most sin- 
cere sentiments of gratitude. I acknowledge Thee as the Dis- 
penser of all graces. To Thee I owe the glorious dignity of the 
divine image in my soul, which Thou hast restored to me in 
baptism. Thou hast renewed in me the life of justice and 
holiness, and made me a child of the Church of my Lord and 
Saviour. 

Thou hast made known to me the path of Thy command- 
ments by my dear parents, my teachers and my spiritual guides, 
the priests of Holy Church. Thou hast taught me the mysteries 
of Divine revelation, by which alone I can obtain the crown of 
eternal life. 

Thou hast bestowed upon my soul the blessings of redemp- 
tion ; Thou hast given me the graces of reconciliation, which 
my dear Redeemer purchased by His sacrifice on the cross. 

Thou, O most loving, divine Spirit, hast graciously shielded 
and preserved the Holy Catholic Church with her teach- 
ings and sacraments, so that innumerable souls are saved in 
her communion and the gates of hell cannot prevail against 

1 Outside of Easter-tide the last verse reads thus: 

Deo Patri sit gloria. To God the Father glory be, 

Ejusque soli Filio, And to the Father's only Son; 

Cum Spiritu Paraclito, And, Spirit Paraclete, to Thee, 

Nunc et per omne speculum. Both now and whilst all ages run. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 159 

her. That I may remain a faithful child of thi> Holy Church, 
and that within her fold I may adore, love and serve Thee all the 
days of my life, Thou dost vouchsafe to come to me in the holy 
sacrament of Confirmation. Thou wilt even take Thy abode in 
me, that I should never again be separated from Thee. 

Praise, glory, adoration and everlasting thanks be to Thee, 
O most Holy Spirit ! How incomprehensible is Thy goodness I 
Adore, O my soul ! Ye seraphim and cherubim, all ye angelic 
spirits, adore with me this most adorable Spirit ! I, a sinful crea- 
ture, am unw^orthy to offer this tribute of homage. All ye elect 
of heaven ! aid me with your praises to the Spirit of the Father 
and Son, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

2. Humility. 

O Divine Spirit, Thou wilt come to me to-day in the holy 
sacrament of Confirmation. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou 
shouldst come to me, a wretched sinful creature. The seraphim 
nearest to Thy throne bow down in profound humility before 
Thy infinite Majesty, and hide their countenance before the 
splendor of Thy inaccessible glory ! How can I presume to ap- 
pear before Thee, who am so far beneath the humblest of angelic 
spirits; yet having an immortal soul in a mortal, wretched body, 
fashioned after Thine own image, Thou condescendest to enter 
therein, and vouchsafest to take therein Thy abode, to prepare 
it as Thine holy temple. What am I, O Holy Spirit, that Thou 
shouldst raise me to so great a dignity ! I am utterly unworthy 
of such an unspeakable favor! Thou art Sc.nctity and Purity 
infinite : I, a miserable sinner, that have so often' offended 
against Thy holy inspirations, spurned Thy graces, and abused 
Thy precious gifts. I am filled with shame and confusion at 
the sight of my baseness and ingratitude. Do Thou, O Sanc- 
tifier of my soul, encourage me to look up with confidence 
to Thee ; Thou only canst raise me from the abyss of my sinful 
nothingness ! 



i6o MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

J. Contrition. 

Deign in Thy infinite mercy, O Holy Spirit, to look down 
upon the sorrow of my heart, which desires to return to Thy 
loving embrace. Behold, I detest the sins and transgressions of 
my youth. Have mercy on me ; according to Thy great mercies 
have mercy on Thy penitent child ! 

I now abhor all my oifenses from the depth of my soul, with 
a lively sorrow, solely because I have grieved Thy immeasurable 
goodness, worthy of all my affections ; I now desire to love 
Thee, and to sacrifice all else to secure Thy love. Cleanse my 
soul from all that displeaseth Thee, by the merits of our dear 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

4. Purpose of Amendment. 

O Holy Ghost, Eternal Love of the Father and the Son ! I 
firmly resolve nevermore to offend Thee ; I sincerely resolve to 
love Thee above all things, and to fulfill Thy most holy will in 
my actions, words, thoughts and desires. For Thy sake I will 
love all my fellow-men ; I forgive from my heart all my enemies ; 
I ask forgiveness of all whom I have in any way wronged. With 
the powerful aid of Thy grace I propose to walk henceforward 
in holiness and innocence all the days of my life. Accept, O 
Divine Consoler of my soul, this sacred vow of my allegiance 
and fidelity. 

J. Act of Confidence. 

Relying on Thy infinite goodness, O most Holy Spirit, I dare 
to receive Thee in the sacrament I am now preparing for, that 
it may avail to make me a perfect Christian ; that it may give 
me strength and courage to combat my evil habits, to overcome 
temptations, to abide in Thy holy law. May I become a 
true and loyal soldier of Jesus Christ, ready to suffer anything 
rather than renounce His holy religion, and to live up to it even 
at the peril of my life. Thou knowest my helplessness and my 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. i6i 

weakness, and wiliest not the death of the sinner, but that he be 
converted and live : behold, I cast myself down at the throne of 
Thy infinite Majesty with filial confidence, and beseech Thee, 
O God, Holy Ghost, through Jesus Christ, my Saviour, to com- 
plete the work of Thy mercy, and to make my soul the living 
temple of Thy divine presence. Replenish it with Thy bounti- 
ful gifts in virtue of this great sacrament of Thy Love, now and 
evermore. 

6. Act 0/ Holy Desire. 

Come then, O Holy Spirit ! My soul panteth after Thee, as 
the hart panteth after the fountains of water. Incline my heart 
to Thy coming. Prepare it for Thy presence. Build it up 
as a tower of strength. I will say to Thee, my God : Thou art 
my support, my refuge, a helper in troubles. Hearken, O my 
soul, and incline thy ear to the voice of this loving Divine 
Spirit. My heart is ready, O God ! my heart is ready ! Come, 
O Divine Teacher ! fill my whole mind with the riches of the 
knowledge of my heavenly Father and of Him whom He has 
sent, Jesus Christ. Come, O Guide of my soul ! Enkindle 
within me the fire of Thy divine love by this sacrament, that 
my cold heart may burn with holy zeal in Thy service. Come, 
O Divine Light, that I may walk in the light of the Holy 
Gospel and seek the things that are above, and not those that 
are on earth. Come, O Spirit of infinite Holiness ! Extinguish 
all impure desires and affections, that I may abhor whatever 
defiles body and soul. Consecrate my heart into a temple 
of purity and innocence, wherein Thou mayest dwell with the 
riches of Thy gifts. Come, O Spirit of infinite Bliss ! Fill my 
soul with sentiments most holy and pure in this valley of 
misery, amid the severe struggles for faith and virtue, that I 
may triumph over all obstacles, that I may rejoice in every 
tribulation, that I may glory in crosses and sufferings for the 
sake of Thy love, Grant^ I humbly beseech Thee, that I 



1 62 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

may ever delight in that blessed peace which the world cannot 
give. Come, O Sanctifying Spirit ! my soul longeth for Thy 
presence ; without Thee I desire neither to live nor to die. 
Amen. 

7. Invocalmi to obtain the Gifts of the Hoty Ghost 

Come, Holy Ghost ! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and 
kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth from heaven 
the sevenfold gift of Thy graces. 

1. Come, O Spirit of Wisdom I Teach me to esteem the 
things heavenly and eternal above all things perishable and 
worldly. Point out to my soul the paths that guide it to the 
possession of those eternal gifts which Thou hast prepared in 
the kingdom to come. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. Glory be, etc. 

2. Come, O Spirit of Understamting I Let me seize with a 
docile mind the doctrines of salvation and the teachings of holy 
religion. Permit me never to be blinded by passion or vanity 
into the errors and deceits of impiety or religious indifference. 
Lead me to walk in Thy light until I contemplate Thee with 
the Father and the Son in glory everlasting from face to face. 
Amen. 

Our Father, etc. Glory be, etc. 

3. Come, O Spirit of Counsel! Vouchsafe to assist my 
wavering spirit in all the doings of my fleeting life ; incline it 
unto the paths of righteousness, turn it away from all snares, 
that I may always choose what is for my true welfare. Let me 
not be guided by flesh and blood, nor by the children of a 
wicked world^ but rather let me hearken to Thy inspirations 
and look in all things to the end under the guidance of Thy 
counsel, blessed for evermore. Amen. 

Our Father, etc, Glory be, etc, 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 163 

4. Come, O Spirit 0/ Fortitude! Strengthen my heart 
against every allurement and adversity, that, laying aside all hu- 
man fear, I may overcome all hindrances to my salvation. 
Anoint me with courage and firmness in the he:,t of battle against 
the flesh, the world, and the powers of darkness, that threaten 
my faith and innocence. Let me not succumb, but make me 
triumph with Christ unto life eternal. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. Glory be, etc. 

5. Come, O Spirit of Knowledge! Give me the science of 
eternal salvation, that I may seek whatever pleaseth Thee and 
walk in the light of Thy holy teachings. Keep away from my 
mind all vain ambition and idle curiosity, that I may be pene- 
trated with the science of Thy saints, and so pass through the 
earthly possessions as not to lose the heavenly treasures. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. Glory be, etc. 

6. Come, Spirit of Piety ! Rejoice my heart with a lively 
sense of Thy divine presence, that I may always find the service 
of my God sweet and amiable. Bend my will in the way of Thy 
commandments, that I may seek in all things to accomplish 
Thy holy will for time and eternity. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. Glory be, etc. 

7. Come, O Spirit of Holy Fear! Fill my whole being with 
a filial fear of ofifending Thy adorable Majesty. Give me a sal- 
utary dread of relapsing into sin. Let me not fear those who 
can only kill the body, but rather Him who hath the power to 
thrust body and soul into the abyss of hell. Make me fear the 
Lord and walk in His ways all the days of my life. Amen. 
Our Father, etc. Glory be, etc. 

8. Short Prayer for the Same Gifts. 

O Almighty and Eternal God, Holy Ghost, Thou hast vouch- 
safed to adopt mQ for Thy child in the holy sacrament of Bap- 



1 64 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

tism ; Thou hast granted me the remission of my sins at the tri- 
bunal of Penance ; Thou hast made me to sit at the Holy Table, 
and hast fed me with the bread of angels ; perfect in me, I beseech 
Thee, all these benefits. Grant unto me the spirit of Wisdom, 
that I may despise the perishable things of this world, and love 
the things that are eternal ; the spirit of Understanding, to en- 
lighten me and to give me the knowledge of religion ; the 
spirit of Counsel, that I may diligently seek the surest ways of 
pleasing God and obtaining heaven ; the spirit of Fortitude, that 
I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my 
salvation ; the spirit of Knowledge, that I may be enlightened 
in the ways of God ; the spirit of Piety, that I may find the ser- 
vice of God both sweet and amiable ; the spirit of Fear, that I 
may be filled with a loving reverence towards God, and may 
dread in any way to displease Him. Seal me in Thy mercy, 
with the seal of a disciple of Jesus Christ, unto everlasting life ; 
and grant that, carrying the cross upon my forehead, I may carry 
it also in my heart, and confessing Him boldly before men, 
may merit to be one day reckoned in the number of His elect. 
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

p. Act of Petition. 
(Immediately before Confirmation.) 
O God of infinite goodness ! Receive, I beseech Thee, my 
most humble and hearty thanks for all the favors which Thou 
hast bestowed upon me from the very moment of my birth. 
I thank Thee particularly that Thou hast been pleased to rank 
me among those who are now to be specially consecrated to 
Thee by the sacrament of Confirmation. Thou oflferest me the 
greatest of Thy gifts ; Thou art about to seal my soul with the 
sacred character of a soldier of Jesus Christ, and to send Thy 
Holy Spirit down upon me, that He may abide within me con- 
tinually. O my good and merciful Father, encouraged by such 
special marks of predilection, I venture to implore with humble 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 165 

confidence, that Thou wouldst Thyself infuse into my heart all 
the dispositions necessary for its becoming the habitation of 
such a guest. Alas ! O my God, I am far from possessing 
those sentiments of faith, love, humility and fervor wliich ought 
to animate my soul. But all things are possible with Thee. 
Thou hast promised to give to them that ask. I most sin- 
cerely detest all the sins of my whole life, every fault, every im- 
perfect inclination which may be an obstacle to the graces which 
Thou desirest to bestow on Thy unworthy child. Vouchsafe, O 
my God, to purify my soul from every stain, by the infinite merits 
of the death and passion of Thy dear Son. I most sincerely 
resolve to serve Thee faithfully all the days of my life. Yet, of 
myself, I am unable to accomplish what I desire and resolve to 
do. Therefore I beseech Thee to impart to me the graces of 
Thy Holy Spirit, that, like the Apostles, I may be endued with 
strength from on high, and inspired with courage and resolu- 
tion, to prove myself the disciple of Thy Son. I ardently de- 
sire to receive this most precious gift ; but do Thou, O God, 
render my desire still stronger and more ardent. Accept, I 
beseech Thee, on my behalf, the fervent desires that animated 
the heart of the Blessed Virgin and the holy Apostles on the 
day of Pentecost, and let their perfect dispositions supply in all 
things my deficiencies, through Christ our Lord, who with 
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth 
God, world without end. Amen. 



i66 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

VIII. 

THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION.* 

The Bishops wearing over his rochet an amice^ stole, and cope of a 
white color ^ having the mitre on his head, and holding the pas- 
toral staff in his left hand, proceeds to the faldstool, placed before 
the viiddle of the Altar, or in some other conveniejit place. Sitting 
thereon, with his back to the Altar, and his face towards the 
people, he washes his hands ; then, laying aside his mitre, he 
rises up, and, standing with his face towards the persons to be 
confirined, and having his hands joined before his breast {the 
persons to be confirmed kneeling, and having also their hands 
joined before their breasts^, he says : 

Spiritus sanctus superveniat May the Holy Ghost come 

in vos, et virtus Altissimi custo- down upon you, and may the 
diat vos a peccatis. power of the Most High pre- 

R, Amen. serve 3^ou from sins. 

R, Amen. 

Then, making with his right hand the sign of the cross, from his 
forehead to his breast, he says : 

V, Adjutonum nostrum in V. Our help is in the Name 

nomine Domini. of the Lord. 

R. Qui fecit caelum et ter- R. Who hath made heaven 

ram. and earth. 



1 You will do well to follow the order given in the rite by which 
Confirmation is conferred, and uniting yourself with the Bishop and the 
clergy, to say the prayers below, until the moment when you are to leave 
your place to present yourself to the Bishop. With hands joined be- 
fore your breast, approach the Altar becomingly and reverentially, and 
in the same devout manner return to your place. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



167 



V. Domine exaudi oratio- 
nem meam. 

R, Et clamor meus ad te 
veniat 

V, Dominus vobiscum. 

R. Et cum spiritu tuo. 



F! O Lord, hear my prayer. 

R. And let my cry come 
unto Thee. 

V. The Lord be with you. 
R, And with thy spirit. 



Then, with his hands extended towards the persons to be confirmed, 

he says : 



OREMUS. 

Omnipotens sempiterne De- 
us, qui regenerare dignatus es 
hos famulos tuos ex aqua et 
Spiritu sancto ; quique dedisti 
eis remissionem omnium pec- 
catorum ; emitte in eos septi- 
formem Spiritum tuum, Sanc- 
tum Paraclitum de coelis. 

R. Amen. 

F! Spiritum sapientiae et 
intellectus. 

R, Amen. 

V. Spiritum consilii et forti- 
tudinis. 

R. Amen. 

V. Spiritum scientiae et pie- 
latis. 

R, Amen. 

Adimple eos Spiritu timoris 
tui, et consigna eos signo cru- 
cis ^ Christi, in vitam propi- 
tiatus aeternam. Per eundem 
Dominurn nostrum Jesum 



LET us PRAY. 

Almighty, everlasting God, 
who hast vouchsafed to regen- 
erate these Thy servants by 
water and the Holy Ghost, and 
hast given unto them the re- 
mission of all their sins, send 
forth upon them Thy sevenfold 
Spirit, the Holy Paraclete, 
from heaven. 

R. Amen. 

V, The spirit of wisdom and 
of understanding. 

R. Amen. 

V. The spirit of counsel and 
of fortitude. 

R, Amen. 

V, The spirit of knowledge 
and of godliness. 

R, Amen. 

Replenish them with the 
spirit of Thy fear, and sign 
them with the sign of the cross 
^ of Christ, in Thy mercy, 
unto life eternal Through 



i68 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 

Christum Filium tuum, qui the same Jesus Christ our 
tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Lord, Thy Son, who liveth and 
ejusdem Spiritus sancti Deus, reigneth with Thee in the unity 
per omnia saecula saeculorum. of the same Holy Spirit, God, 
R, Amen. world without end. 

R. Amen. 

The Bishop, with the mitre on his head, sitting on the faldstool, or, 
if the number of persons to be confirmed requires it, standing, 
confirms them, arranged in rows, and kneeling in order. The 
name of each person to be confirmed is separately presented to 
him, when, having dipped the end of the thumb of his right hand 
in chrism, he says : 

N. Signo te signo ^ crucis, N. I sign thee with the sign 

of the cross >J^, 

Whilst saying these words ^ he makes with his thumb the sign of the 
cross on the forehead of the person to be confirmed, and then 
continues : 

Et confirmo te chrismate And I confirm thee with the 

salutis. In nomine Pa^J^tris, chrism of salvation. In the 

et Fi^J^lii, etSpiri^tus Sancti. name of the Fath^J^er, and of 

R, Amen. the Son^*, and of the Holy 

•{•Ghost. 
R, Amen. 

Then he strikes the person gently on the cheek, saying : 

Pax tecum. Peace be with thee. 

When all have been confirmed, the Bishop wipes his thumb with 
bread-crumb, and washes his hands over a basin. Meanwhile 
the following Antiphon is sung or read by the choir or clergy: 

Confirma hoc Deus, quod Confirm, O Lord, that which 

oneratus es in nobis, a templo Thou hast wrought in us from 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 



169 



sancto quod est in Jerusalem. 
V, Gloria Patri, etc. 



Thy holy temple which is in 
Jerusalem. 

V. Glory be to the Father, 
etc. 



Then the Antiphon, Confirma hoc Deus, is repeated ; after which 
the Bishops laying aside his mitre, rises up, and standing towards 
the Altar, with his hands joined before his breast, says : 



V, Ostende nobis, Domine, 
misericordiam tuam. 

R. Et salutare tuum da no- 
bis. 

V. Domine, exaudi ora- 
tionem meam. 

R, Et clamor mens ad te 
veniat. 

V, Dominus vobiscum. 

R, Et cum spiritu tuo. 



V, Show us Thy mercy, O 
Lord. 

R. And grant us Thy sal- 
vation. 

F. O Lord, hear my prayer. 

R. And let my cry come 
unto Thee. 

V. The Lord be with you. 
R, And with thy spirit. 



Then with his hands still joined before his breast, and all the persons 
confirmed devoutly hneeling, he says : 



OREMUS. 

Deus, qui Apostolis tuis 
sanctum dedisti Spiritum, et 
per eos, eorumquesuccessores, 
caeteris fidelibus tradendum 
esse voluisti ; respice propitius 
ad humilitatis nostrae famula- 
tum ; et praesta, ut eorum cor- 
da, quorum frontes sacro chris- 
mate delinivimus, et signo 
sanctae Crucis signavimus, 
idem Spiritus sanctus in eis 



LET us PRAY. 

O God, who didst give to 
Thine Apostles the Holy Spirit, 
and didst ordain that by them 
and their successors He should 
be delivered to the rest of the 
faithful, look mercifully on the 
service of our humility; and 
grant that the hearts of those 
whose foreheads we have 
anointed with the sacred 
chrism, and sio:ned with the 



170 



MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 



superveuiens, templum glorise 
suae dignanter inhabitando 
perficiat. Qui cum Patre et 
eodem Spiritu sancto, vivis et 
regnas, Deus, in saecula saecu- 
lorum. 
Amen. 



sign of the holy Cross, may by 
the same Holy Spirit descend- 
ing upon them, and vouchsaf- 
ing to dwell therein, be made 
the temple of His glory. Who, 
with the Father, and the same 
Holy Spirit, livest and reignest 
God, world without end. 
Amen. 



Then he says : 



Ecce, sic benedicetur omnis 
homo, qui timet Dominum. 



Behold, thus shall every 
man be blessed that feareth 
the Lord. 



And turning to the persons confirmed, he makes over them the sign 
of the Cross, saying : 



Bene^J^dicat vos Dominus 
ex Sion, utvideatis bona Jeru- 
salem omnibus diebus vitae 
vestrae, et habeatis vitam aeter- 
nam. 

Amen. 



May the Lord bless ^ you 
out of Sion, that you may see 
the good things of Jerusalem, 
all the days of your life, and 
have life everlasting. 

Amen. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 17 i 



IX. 

ACTS OF DEVOTION AFTER CONFIRMATION. 

I . A spirations fro m St, A ugusiine. 

What do I feel ! What fire is this that warmeth my heart 
in its innermost depths ! What Hght is this that shines within 
my heart ! O God ! I prostrate myself in humihty at the 
throne of Thy Majesty. I thank Thee because Thou conde- 
scendest in Thy infinite mercy to enlighten me ! O Thou true 
Light, Thou most holy Light, Thou blessed Light ! Thanks 
to Thee ! for I behold Thee now. I see the Light of Heaven, 
and a ray of Thy Glory beams in my soul, and rejoiceth my 
whole being. How soon shall I behold Thee face to face ! 
How soon shall that day of exultation and joy come, when I 
shall enter into the mansions of my God, who dwelleth in an 
inaccessible light ! How long will my sojourning be pro- 
longed ! When shall my ardent desire be fulfilled ! I have 
loved the beauty of Thy house unto the length of days. Amen. 



1 Having arrived at your place after being confirmed, devoutly recite 
the Creed, the Our Father^ and Hail Mary, Then devote your time to 
pious recollection. Listen to the suggestions of the Divine Spirit, whose 
gifts have just been bestowed upon you. Imagine yourself in the midst of 
the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, and unite with them in the effusions 
of joy, praise, and thanks. At the same time recall your holy resolutions. 
At the solemn benediction with the blessed Sacrament pray fervently to 
Jesus that His Holy Spirit may always remain with you. Place yourself 
under the protection of the virginal spouse of the Holy Ghost, your blessed 
Mother and Queen, that you may ever lend a willing ear to His divine 
inspirations, and live henceforward as a faithful, loyal soldier of your 
Saviour and Lord, who has sent His Spirit in your heart. The above 
prayers will aid you to spend the time profitably until the end of the 
ceremony. 



172 MANUAL GF CONFIRMATION, 

2. Act of Praise. 

O my good and merciful Creator, O my most loving Father, 
and hast Thou indeed so far overlooked my misery and my 
unworthiness as to make my soul the tabernacle of Thy Holy 
Spirit ? Am I indeed now honored with the presence^ and en- 
riched with the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost? Yea, 
Lord, I confidently hope that Thou hast not been deaf to my 
petitions, and that I am now in possession of that sacred gift 
which I so ardently desired. O my God, accept the praises of 
Thy angels and saints, in thanksgiving for Thy unbounded 
mercies towards me. May the blessed Mother of Thy divine 
Son, and the glorious choir of Apostles, thank Thee for me. 
May the Cross of Jesus Christ, with which my forehead hath 
been signed, defend me from all my enemies, and save me at 
the last day. May the inward unction of sanctifying grace, 
figured by the chrism with which I have been anointed, pene- 
trate my soul, soften my heart, strengthen my will, and conse- 
crate my whole being to Thy service. Amen. 

J. Act of Thanksgiving, 

O Holy Spirit, although I am unable to understand all the 
greatness of the benefit which Thou hast now bestowed upon 
me, in communicating Thyself unto me with the abundance of 
Thy graces, I return Thee my most humble thanks for Thy 
unspeakable gift, and I beseech Thee to accept the grateful 
homage of my heart, which I here offer to Thy divine Majesty. 
Oh, let this marvelous grace, which has imprinted on my soul 
the character of a perfect Christian, remain forever engraven 
there, and excite within me a never-failing i^ratitude. Amen. 



^O C 



4. Act of Consecration. 

O Divine Spirit, who, of Thy pure bounty and infinite good- 
ness, hast given Thyself to me, notwithstanding my great un- 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 173 

worthiness, how could I be so ungrateful as not to give myself 
wholly to Thee? Receive, then, I beseech Thee, the offering 
which I make to Thee of all I am. I consecrate to Thee my 
mind with all its thoughts : my soul with all its faculties ; my 
heart with all its affections ; henceforth Thou shalt be the God 
of my heart, and my portion forever. Perfect, O Divine Spirit, 
what Thou hast begun in me ; strengthen the good desires with 
which Thou hast inspired me, and make me ever wholly on 
fire with the love of Thee. Amen. 

J. Ad of Petition. 

O Holy and Sanctifying Spirit, Thy love towards me hath 
lavished upon me all Thy gifts, and it is Thy powerful protec- 
tion alone that can preserve them to me. I possess this most 
precious treasure in a frail and earthen vessel ; strengthen my 
weakness, I beseech Thee, and grant that henceforth I may 
show myself worthy of the glorious title of a disciple of Jesus 
Christ. Rather let me die than drive Thee from my heart. 
Amen. 

6. Prayer of Intercession, 

Confirm, O Divine Spirit, what Thou hast worked in me. I 
pray Thee for our Bishop. Strengthen him in the exercise of 
his sacred functions for the spiritual welfare of the flock en- 
trusted to his care. I pray Thee also for my dear parents. 
Bless and keep them. I pray Thee for my sponsor and for all 
who have aided me in preparing for this holy sacrament. May 
we be strengthened by Thee, O most Holy Spirit, with might 
unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in our 
hearts. Amen. 

7. Act of Commendation. 

(A prayer to be said before leaving the church.) 

O Lord, I am about to leave this holy place, in which Thy 



174 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 

Holy Spirit hath vouchsafed to visit my soul. I am going to 
return to the world, whose whole spirit is opposed to the heart 
of Jesus Christ. Withdraw not Thyself from me, O most Holy 
Spirit ; give me not up to its malice and wickedness. Let Thy 
love embrace me on every side. Suffer not that this forehead, 
on which the holy unction is still glistening, should ever be 
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, nor the members of my body, 
which is now become Thy temple, should ever be dishonored 
and defiled by sin. Oh, may my heart never resist Thee, O most 
blessed Spirit, but ever yield to the impressions of Thy grace; 
for Thou art the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of strength, 
and Thou only canst accomplish in me those good desires with 
which Thou inspirest me. Amen. 

8. Prayer for the Renewal of the Grace of Confirmatmi. 
(It may be used also on the Anniversary of the Day.) 
O my Lord and my God, I have received, through Thy 
mercy, the holy sacrament of Confirmation ; preserve, I beseech 
Thee, in my soul, and renew therein continually, the powerful 
effects of this divine sacrament, that I may be enabled hence- 
forth to perform all my obligations, and to live according to the 
spirit of a true and perfect Christian. I have been enlisted into 
Thy heavenly army, and have received the character of a soldier 
of Jesus Christ ; grant that, always and in all places, I may 
prove myself the faithful servant of Him in whom dwelleth all 
the fulness of the Spirit, and, shedding forth the odor of a holy 
life, may edify my neighbor by my good example. Grant, I 
most humbly beseech Thee, that neither the world, nor the 
customs of the w^orld, may infect my soul with their pernicious 
maxims, and that its vain flatteries and allurements may never 
make any impression on my soul. Assist me by Thy grace, 
that I may firmly reject the dangerous solicitations of the 
worldly, and not hearken to the poisonous discourses of the un- 
believing. May I endeavor by my counsel and example to 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 175 

prevent my brethren in the faith from being ensnared by the 
deceitful words or falling a prey to the malicious efforts of the 
wicked, ever seeking to draw others to the abyss of error and de- 
struction. Grant mc, O my God, such purity of intention, such 
true humility and strength of faith, that my whole heart and 
mind being raised above all earthly things, I may seek but 
Thee, put my trust only in Thy divine word, and firmly adhere 
to the teachings of Thy Church, which alone can surely guide 
the learned and the ignorant into the way of truth and ever- 
lasting life. Amen. 

REMARKS. 

Every Christian, after he is confirmed, ought to live in the spirit of the 
foregoing prayers. Although weakness, cowardice and human respect 
may be somewhat excused in such as, through no fault of theirs, have not 
yet been confirmed, there can be no excuse for those who have received 
this sacrament. For the principal design and effect of this holy ordinance 
is to strengthen Christians against the snares and power of the devil, the 
world, and the flesh; to take from them the fear of men; to enable 
them to confess openly, and follow perseveringly, the sacred rules of the 
Gospel, esteem only Jesus to be their Master, and enter into no other 
warfaie but His. To this end they are invested with the whole armor of 
Christ, that they may stand firm before persecutors and tyrants, who 
would do violence to their faith; and particularly before the people of the 
world, who offend against those sacred rules by their actions, by their 
words, by their excesses, by their vanities, or who otherwise join with the 
enemies of the Cross in overthrowing that law which the servants of Christ 
are bound to assert and maintain unto death. 



GENERAL DEVOTION AFTER CONFIRMATION. 

To produce a lasting impression in the minds of those who have been 
confirmed, the following prayers may appropriately be recited aloud by 
all, if the pastor, or some other priest, preside and read them, the others 
responding : 

P, Glory, praise and thanks be to Thee, O Divine Spirit ! 
All ye angels and elect join w^th us, as with one voice w^e glorify 



176 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATIOK 

the Sanctifier of our souls, who has wrought great things in us. 
Thou, O adorable Spirit, hast come down upon us this day, as 
Thou didst upon the Apostles and disciples of Christ our Sav- 
iour, on the day of Pentecost. Thou hast set apart our poor 
souls as the living temple of Thy gifts and graces; Thou hast 
enlightened us with Thy divine wdsdom ; Thou hast increased 
and enriched us with sanctifying grace, that our hearts may be 
the dwelling of holiness and justice forever. 

AIL We render Thee thanks, O Holy Spirit ! 

P. O most Holy Paraclete ! Thou hast given us the gift 
of wisdom and understanding, the gift of counsel and fortitude, 
the gift of knowledge and godliness. Grant us to be filled with 
the spirit of Thy holy fear unto life eternal. 

A. We render Thee thanks, O Holy Spirit ! 

P, O Holy Ghost I Thou hast enrolled us in this Thy 
sacrament in the service of Christ our Chief, that under the 
standard of the Cross we may fight the battles of this life for 
faith and virtue's sake. Thou hast clad us with the armor of 
God, Thou hast girted our loins with justice, Thou hast given 
us the shield of faith and the sword of strength, that we may 
stand firm to the end. 

A. We render Thee thanks, O Holy Spirit ! 

P. O Creator Spirit ! Thou hast sealed us with Thy divine 
unction, that as perfect Christians we be steadfast in the profes- 
sion of our holy faith, unwavering in charity and in the purity 
of our daily life. 

A. We render Thee thanks, O Holy Spirit ! 

P, What shall we render to Thee, O most benign Guest, for 
all the things that Thou hast rendered unto us } Thy mercies, 
O Spirit Lord, we will sing forever. In the presence of Thy 
minister, our shepherd and leader in faith, who is invested with 
the apostolic office of Bishop in Thy Church, we have sworn 
fealty to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in accordance with the 
teachings of the Holy Catholic Church. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS. 177 

A. Strengthen us, we beseech Thee, in this faith unto death, 
O Divine Spirit ! 

P. We have vowed to-day, when we were anointed on our 
foreheads by the Cross of Christ, to stand bravely in all dangers 
and temptations by the standard of our dear Lord. Grant us 
most mercifully, O Divine Paraclete, that we may esteem it an 
honor to suffer ignominy and persecution, nay, death, if need 
be, for our God and in defense of His holy truths. 

A, Strengthen our souls in this faithful spirit, O Holy Ghost ! 

P, Pour down Thy blessings upon Thy servants, that we, 
who have become the temples of Thy precious gifts, may bring 
forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit in charity and joy, in peace 
and patience, in benignity and goodness, in longanimity and 
mildness, in fidelity and modesty, in continency and chastity. 
Let our hearts' offerings ascend to Thy throne as frankincense 
on this day and on all the days of our life. 

A, Confirm, O Lord, Creator Spirit, that which Thou hast 
wrought in us. 

P. Pour forth, O Divine Spirit, the fulness of Thy blessings 
upon our dear Bishop, that he may in the light of Thy wisdom 
and piety guide the flock confided to his care ; upon our pas- 
tor, that he be upheld by Thy counsel and strength in the toils 
and labors of his ministry among us ; upon our teachers, 
and especially upon our dear parents, who have been the faith- 
ful instruments of Thy goodness and care. Grant that they 
may enjoy the good things from above all the days of their 
lives, and have life everlasting. 

A, Amen. 

P. Glory be to the Father, etc. 

A, As it was in the beginning, etc. 



178 MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION, 



HYMN TE DEUM. 

Holy God, we praise Thy name ! 

Lord of all we bow before Thee I 
All on earth Thy sceptre claim, 

All in heav'n above adore Thee ; 
Infinite Thy vast domain, 
Everlasting is Thy name. 

Hark ! the loud celestial hymn, 
Angel choirs above are singing ! 

Cherubim and Seraphim, 

In unceasing chorus praising, 

Fill the heavens with sweet accord: 

Holy ! Holy ! Holy Lord. 

Lo ! the apostolic train 

Join Thy sacred name to hallow I 

Prophets swell the loud refrain. 

And with white-robed martyrs follow 

And from morn till set of sun, 

Through the Church the song goes on. 

Holy Father, Holy Son, 

Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee; 

While in essence only One, 

Undivided God we claim Thee ; 

And adoring bend the knee, 

While we own the mystery. 

Thou art King of glory, Christ ! 

Son of God, yet born of Mary, 
For us sinners, sacrificed, 

And to death a tributary : 
First to break the bars of death, 
Thou hast opened Heav'n to Faith. 

? This popular chant may close the ceremony. 



VARIOUS DE VOTIOXS, 1 79 



HYMNS TO THE HOLY GHOST. 



VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS. 

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come; 
Dwell in us as Thy chosen home; 
Thy servants' hearts Thou dost inspire, 
And kindle with Thy heavenly fire. 

O Paraclete, to Thee we cry, 
Thou priceless gift of God most high: 
Thy living unction from above 
Is fire of grace and light of love. 

Thou bindest with a sevenfold band, 
O finger of the Father's hand: 
O promised Spirit, Thou dost teach. 
Enriching all our mouths with speech. 

Thy light to us Thou dost impart, _ 
And pour thy love on every heart; 
O Blessed Spirit, make us strong, 
In patient suffering of wrong. 

Far from us drive the deadly foe; 
Thy peace and joy on all bestow; 
In every path be Thou our Guide, 
And with us evermore abide. 

In Father and in Son we live, 

By grace which Thou dost always give: 

Co-equal Spirit, we adore 

Thy majesty for evermore. 

All glory to the Father be; 

All glory, only Son, to Thee; 

All glory to the Spirit blest, 

The bond of Their eternal rest. Amen. 



i8o MANUAL OF CONFIRMATION. 



Another Version, 

O come, Creator Spirit ! come, 
Vouchsafe to make our minds Thy home : 
And with Thy heavenly grace fulfill 
The hearts Thou madest at Thy will. 

Thou that art named the Paraclete, 
The Gift of God, His Spirit sweet ; 
The living Fountain, Fire, and Love, 
And gracious Unction from above. 

Thy sevenfold grace Thou dost expandj 
O Finger of the Father's Hand ! 
True promise of the Father, rich 
In gifts of tongues and various speech. 

Kindle our senses with Thy light, 
And lead our hearts to love aright ; 
Stablish our weakness, and refresh 
With fortitude our fainting flesh. 

Repel far off our deadly foe, 
And peace on us forthwith bestow ; 
With Thee for Guide, we need not fear ; 
Where Thou art, evil comes not near. 

By Thee the Father let us bless, 
By Thee the Eternal Son confess; 
And Thee Thyself we evermore 
The Spirit of them both adore. 

To God the Father let us raise, 
And to His only Son our praise : 
Praise to the Holy Spirit be 
Now and for all eternity. 



1 The version: *'Come, O Creator Spirit blest," see pg. 156. 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, i8i 

3- 

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS/ 

Come, Holy Ghost, Thou Lord of love, 
Pour on us from Thy throne above 

Thy unction and Thy light: 
O come, Thou Father of the poor, 
O come, with gifts, both large and sure, 

And make our spirits bright. 

Thou of consolers art the best ; 

Thou art our souls' most treasured guest, 

And drivest from us fears: 
In labor Thou art rest most sweet, 
Refreshing coolness in the heat, 

A solace amid tears. 

O Light most blessed, brightly shine 
Within our souls and make them Thine; 

O make them all Thy own; 
Without Thy Godhead is no rest, 
And work is worthless at the best, 

If Thou be all unknown. 

O wash away all sinful stains. 
And water all that dry remains. 

And heal the wounded soul; 
Bend, bend the stubborn mind and heart; 
To frozen souls Thy warmth impart; 

Our wand'ring feet control. 

To all Thy servants trusting Thee, 
Faithful wherever they may be, 

Give sevenfold gifts of grace; 
O give them gladness when they die. 
That they may dwell with Thee on high. 

And ever see Thy face. Amen. 



1 The version: '* Come, Holy Spirit! from the height," see pg. 146. 
The version: "Holy Spirit! Lord of light!" see pg. 109. 



1 8 2 MA NUA L OF CON FIRM A TIOK 

4. 

THE ETERNAL SPIRIT. 

'Fountain of Love ! Thyself true God ! 

Who through eternal days 
From Father and from Son hast flowed 

In uncreated ways ! 

Majesty unspeakable ! 
O Person all divine ! 

How in the Threefold Majesty 
Doth Thy procession shine ! 

Proceeding, yet of equal age 

With Those whose love Thou art ; 

Proceeding, yet distinct, from Those 
From whom Thou seem'st to part. 

An undivided Nature, shared 
With Father and with Son ; 

A Person by Thyself ; with them 
Thy simple essence One ! 

1 dread Thee, Unbegotten Love ! 

True God ! Sole Fount of Grace ! 
And now before Thy blessed throne 
My sinful self abase. 

Thou art a God of fire, that doth 
Create while He consumes ! 

A God of light, whose rays on earth 
Darken where He illumes ! 

O Spirit, beautiful and dread 1 
■ My heart is fit to break 
With love of all Thy tenderness 
For us poor sinners' sake. 

Thy love of Jesus I adore : 
My comfort this shall be, 

That when I serve my dearest Lord 
That service worships Thee ! 



VARIOUS DEVOTIONS, 183 



5. 

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

O mighty Mother ! why that light 

In thine uplifted eye ! 
Why that resplendent look of more 

Than queenlike majesty ? 

She sat ; beneath her shadow were 

The Chosen of her Son ; 
Within each heart and on each face 

Her power and spirit shone. 

Queen of the Church ! around thee shines 

The purest light of heaven, 
And all created things to thee 

For thy domain are given ! 

Why waitest thou then, so abashed, 

Wrapt in ecstatic fear, 
Speechless with adoration, hushed — 

Hushed as though God were near? 

She is a creature ! See ! she bows. 
She trembles, though so great ; 

Created Majesty o'erwhelmed 
Before the Increate ! 

He comes ! He comes ! That mighty Breath 

From heaven's eternal shores ; 
His uncreated freshness fills 

His Bride as she adores. 

One moment — and the Spirit hung 

O'er her with dread desire ; 
Then broke upon the heads of all 

In cloven tongues of fire. 

Who knows in what a sea of love 
Our Lady's heart He drowned? 

Or what new gifts He gave her then ? 
What ancient gifts He crowned ? 



1 84 J/A NUA L OF CON FIRM A TION. 

What gifts He gave those chosen men, 

Past ages can display ; 
Nay, more, their vigor still inspires 

The weakness of to-day. 

O, let us fall and worship Him, 
The Love of Sire and Son, 

The Consubstantial Breath of God, 
The Co-eternal One ! 



6. 

EVENING SONG TO THE HOLY GHOST. 

Holy Ghost, come down upon thy children. 

Give us grace and make us thine, etc., see pg. 98. 



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